At 1458 HRS on 4/9/11, the Jefferson County Sheriff''s dispatch received a call in reference to a PWC accident on Perry Lake.  Through further investigation it was later learned that at approximately 1445 HRS on said date, two teen-aged caucasian male subjects were involved in a two vessel collision incident which subsequently resulted in injuries sustained to the operator of vessel 1 along with major structural damage to vessel 1 and minor damage to vessel 2.  The two PWC''s involved were both registered to the same owner and were identical in color, year, make, and model.  Said vessels had been borrowed and it was the first time either subject had operated them. Furthermore, it was the first time the operator of vessel 2 had operated any PWC; the operator of vessel 1 had reportedly operated a PWC approximately two years prior to said incident.  Additionally, neither operator had completed a boater safety education course prior to said incident. 

Prior to the collision, both subjects were reportedly cruising at a high rate of speed (approximately 40-45 mph) in the Rock Creek arm of Perry Lake, with vessel 1 a short distance ahead of vessel 2.  Then, for no apparent reason, the operator of vessel 1 "zoned out", let off the throttle, and made a turn to port, causing it to abruptly slow down in front of vessel 2.  As the operator of vessel 2 observed vessel 1 slow and turn, he reportedly let off the throttle and attempted to turn away from vessel 1, but due to the distance he had been following behind it, he was unable to maneuver in time to avoid a collision.  Based on how vessel 2 was designed, the ability to make a sharp turn to port (left) or to starboard (right) is dependent on the amount of throttle (thrust from the jets) provided by the operator.  In general, the more throttle provided, the sharper of a turn it will make.  Thus, by letting off the throttle, the ability to make any necessary evasive maneuvers (quick turns) is greatly reduced.

During said collision, the bow of vessel 2 impacted with the port side of vessel 1 at an approximate angle of impact of 320 degrees.  Vessel 2 also appears to have struck the operator of vessel 1 during the collision, causing him to be ejected from his vessel.  

After the collision, the operator of vessel 1 grabbed hold of the side of vessel 2 and was led back to vessel 1.  Once back on board vessel 1, they observed that the operator of said vessel had blood on his mouth and his left leg (just below the knee) had sustained a laceration.  Realizing this, they both operated their respective vessels at a high rate of speed back to the Perry State Park swim beach.  After arriving at the beach, the operator of vessel 1 was helped to shore and transported to the hospital via personal vehicle.  While at the hospital, he is believed to have undergone surgery to cleanse the deep laceration located just below his left knee.


Pending charges regarding said incident are:

Vessel 1 operator: Boater Safety Education (Operation of motorboat w/out)
Vessel 2 operator: Boater Safety Education (Operation of motorboat w/out); General Prohibitions (Negligent operation of a vessel)
Owner of vessels 1 and 2: Boater Safety Education (Permitting the operation of motorboat w/out)

Meriden                       