Both Eastbound, Vessel #1 (2 persons on board) struck Vessel #2 (2 persons on board) East of the Ashland Ave bridge on the Cal-Sag channel. The vessels were following each other, at night, after performing maintenance on Vessel #2. Vessel #2 came to a stop in the channel and Vessel #1 struck the stopped Vessel in the stern. the victim, seated in the bow seat, was ejected from Vessel #2 and subsequently died. The operator of Vessel#1 stated he jumped into the water and attempted to rescue the victim, adding he had ahold of victim three times before he was kicked in the stomach and lost his final hold with victim in the rescue attempt. victim body was located and recovered approximately 2.5 hours later by responding rescue personnel.

The operator of Vessel#1 stated he was following in Vessel#2's wake and was having difficulty keep up. The operator of Vessel#1 stated as he crossed
under the Ashland Ave bridge he saw the white stern light of Vessel#2 approaching fast, cut his engine, and attempted to avoid Vessel#2 by turning left. The operator of Vessel#2 stated the victim was holding a spotlight in the bow seat and their vessel was struck approximately "10 seconds" after coming off plane for a log floating in the channel. The operator of Vessel#1 estimated the time as a minute before collision.

The collision caused the passenger of Vessel#1 to strike the winshield of the same vessel causing injury to her head and left shoulder. The operator of
Vessel#1 also recieved injury when he jumped overboard in his rescue attempt of the victim, he stated he struck his shin on his stern light mast, breaking it.

Damage to Vessel#1 was limited to the front starboard quarter with the most notable being a gash in the aluminum hull in excess of 24 inches. Damage to Vessel#2 was limited to the stern at the transom, outboard motor, and stern port quarter. Blue colored transfer was noted from Vessel#2 onto Vessel#1 in the damaged area. The outboard motor of Vessel#2 appeared to have been pushed up and inward distorting both the metal engine mounts and cracking the fiberglass transom. The outboard motor itself appeared to be damaged beyond an operational state and the engine cowling was missing. Diver's reported to have seen the cowling near the location of the body, but did not recover it.

the family was notified by CPO on 06/20/2010 at approximately 8:15 AM.

Cook County Medical Examiner indicates cause of death as "Drowning, Accidental" (case# 321June10).
Blue Island                   