On July 3rd, 2023 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) was on patrol in the area of St. Pete Beach in a uniform and marked patrol vehicle. At approximately 2030 hours I was contacted by the Orlando Regional Communications Center regarding a vessel incident involving injuries at the Maximo Boat Ramp. 

I arrived at approximately 2055 hours, and found Lieutenant (FWC) on scene, as well as Pinellas County Fire Rescue units and St. Petersburg Police Department units. After making contact with the individuals involved, I discovered that the injured party had been transported to Bayfront Medical Center as a trauma alert. 

The family members that were at the boat ramp stated that the injured person, was on a personal watercraft (PWC) with another individual. They stated they had hit another vessels wake and were thrown from the PWC. When VICTIM arose from the water, he stated his leg hurt. 
I proceeded to the hospital and arrived at approximately 2115 hours. I found VICTIM, who was not able to answer questions at the time, and then proceeded to the waiting room and found his wife. I asked what happened, and she stated that her husband and his friend had been on the PWC, had hit another vessel’s wake, and were ejected. 

VICTIM had sustained a broken femur and had surgery July 4th to address the fracture. 

I made contact again via telephone with VICTIM on July 6th to conduct an interview. VICTIM stated he was operating the vessel and reiterated what his family members had said. While returning to the boat ramp, they hit another vessel’s wake.  They went over the first wake, and hit the second quickly which caused both individuals to be ejected from the PWC. VICTIM stated he did not hit anything solid in the water, but was under the impression that the impact with the water was what broke his leg. 

All events occurred in Pinellas County, and body camera footage is available. VICTIM: broken femur, surgery successful day after incident
Tampa Bay
ST. PETERSBURG                