RedactedNarrative: On Sunday, October 18, 2018, at approximately 1504 hours, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Officers responded to a vessel accident at the Caloosahatchee River, located in Lee County. A 2001, 20-foot Action Craft vessel was being operated on plane with one subject on board. The operator lost control, when he crossed an unknown vessel wake, and was ejected over board without wearing a personal flotation device (PFD). He surfaced and called out to a nearby vessel for help, but subsequently drowned prior to being rescued. He was later recovered from the bottom of the river on 10/18/18 at approximately 1848 hours.
  According to witness statements, the Action Craft crossed an unknown vessel wake and became airborne. When the Action Craft came down, the bow struck a second wake. Victim was thrown forward, into the console, striking the right side of his face and neck on the helm. He was then thrown back, striking his back and head on the deck and poling platform, as he was ejected from the vessel. He was not wearing a personal flotation device and the engine cut off safety lanyard was not attached to him at the time of the accident.  
  Victim received multiple abrasions and bruises to the right side of his face, neck, and back. He received a laceration to the back of his head, on his left elbow, under his right arm, and to the back of his left thigh. He also received multiple fractured ribs along with a fractured left pelvis. Injuries were consistent with Victim being seated in the driver’s seat, located behind the helm at the time of the accident. He struck the console and poling platform as he was ejected from the boat.  
  According to witness statements, he was observed treading water for several minutes after the accident, prior to succumbing to drowning. He was not wearing a personal flotation device and the engine cut off safety lanyard was not attached to Victim at the time of the accident. Next of kin advised that he had over 100 hours of vessel operating experience and knew how to swim. 
  The District 21 Medical Examiner’s Office autopsy report concluded that there was no evidence of acute sharp force or penetrating injuries. He died as a result of drowning, due to multiple blunt traumatic injuries to his head, thorax, abdomen, pelvis, left upper and lower extremities. There were no common drugs of abuse, including no Ethyl Alcohol discovered in Victim’s blood or urine at the time of the accident.
  