On 05/27/12 at approximately 1940hrs, a boat accident occurred on the Rock River in the 6000 block of N. river road. The accident involved two recreational motorboats. Vessel 2 was traveling upstream when Vessel 1 approached and repeatedly  sprayed the Vessel 1 and its occupants with water from the jet stream of the motor. As Vessel 1 sprayed Vessel 2 the last time, Vessel 1 hit the front portion of the port side of Vessel 2 with the rear portion of Vessel 1. As this happened, an occupant of Vessel 2, who was sitting on the front of Vessel 2 to help get the vessel on plane, was thrown into the water. Also, the operator of Vessel 2 fell inside the boat and hit his head/face on the interior of the boat. When this occurred, the operator of Vessel 1 fled the scene and loaded the boat and returned to his residence. The occupant who was ejected into the water was recovered without injury by another boat and given a ride to the boat ramp where he met the Ogle county Sheriff''s Deputy who took the initial report. The operator of Vessel 2 was transported by ambulance to the hospital where he was treated and released for back and neck strain/sprain.

Due to the accident, there were several deep linear scratches to the gel coat of the front port side of Vessel 2. Further, due to the large amount of water sprayed by Vessel 1 there was also  reported damage to electronic equipment in the interior of Vessel 2 as well as damage to the motor of Vessel 2 due to the open breather style motor of the the vessel. A total estimated damage cost of approximately $28,000.00 to Vessel 2. ( This figure was  given to me by a Marine Surveyor who conducted an independent survey of the damage for the insurance company of the owner/operator of Vessel 2). There was no noticeable damage done to Vessel 1. 

On 06/12/12, I issued Operator1 a citation for Reckless Operation of a Watercraft (625 ILCS 45/5-2a) and citation for Failure to Stop in a Personal Injury/Property Damage Boat Accident (625 ILCS 45/6-1A). Operator1 was given a mandatory court appearance date of 07/11/12 at 900am at the Ogle County Courthouse and released on an I-Bond. 

On 06/18/12, I issued Operator2 citation for Unlawful Operation of Watercraft Under the Influence of Alcohol (625 ILCS 45/5-16 A(1)(b) and citation for Unlawful Operation of Watercraft With BAC > 0.08. Operator2 was given a mandatory court appearance date of 07/11/12 at 900am at the Ogle County Courthouse and released on an I-Bond.
Byron                         