RedactedNarrative: Juvenile Record:
  On 07 Aug 2018 at around 1810 a vessel (FL6995NT) struck channel marker 133 while heading south in the Indian River.  This happened just north of Barber Bridge (60th) in Vero Beach, FL (Indian River County).  There were a total of five occupants in the vessel.  When the vessel struck the channel marker one occupant jumped from the boat into the water and one other occupant was thrown into the channel marker sign causing serious injury. 
  
  ACCIDENT
  While on plane going 25-30 mph the operator turned and looked behind her at another vessel that was gaining on them.  There were also two other vessels heading north along the ICW, but at a distance that was not a contributing factor.  During this time she was going at such speed that it closed the distance between V1 and Channel Marker 133 and she could not maneuver the vessel out of the way before making contact with the channel marker.  V1 struck Channel Marker 133 on its starboard side near the front of the vessel.  There was also a secondary impact about midway down the vessel by the gas cap.  This caused the passenger to get thrown out of the vessel and into the channel marker sign.  
  
  POST-ACCIDENT 
  Immediately following the impact a passenger swam over to the ejected passenger to help her.  At that time witnesses showed up.   A witness jumped in the water and pulled the ejected passenger to his boat.  Then the witnesses were able to get the ejected passenger on their vessel and started to make their way to Fire Station 2.  During the trip to Fire Station 2 a witness rendered aid to the ejected passenger.  A witness, called 911 and informed them about the accident and where the ejected passenger was taken too.  
  
  CONCLUSION
  Based on the evidence and information gathered to date the accident occurred due to operator inattention and not maintaining safe speed.   Turning around and looking at a vessel behind her while on plane (approximately 25-30 mph) and not paying attaching where she was going is the main contributing facture of this accident. 
  