The caller advised that two Personal Watercraft had collided, and injuries were reported.

Upon my arrival, I met with several witnesses who were still on the scene.  All witnesses advised the following:  A black PWC driven by Operator2, with V2 occupant on the back and a white PWC driven by Operator1 were both heading east across Lake Mills.  

The white PWC was trailing the black PWC by approximately 30 yards and to its port side.  The black PWC suddenly stopped.  The white PWC was unable to stop and collided with the black PWC, knocking all PWC occupants into the water.  

Witness, who was standing on his shoreline several houses away, immediately jumped onto his PWC and responded to assist.  Operator2 and V2 occupant were transported to the shoreline by Witness.  EMS was called prior to my arrival and Operator2 was transported to Orlando Regional Medical Center, as a Trauma Alert.  V2 occupant was seen by medical personnel on scene and released to her mother.  Operator1 was able to drive himself to the shoreline, he was un-injured.

On April 2, 2023, I went to follow up this accident investigation.  I met with Operator1 and his Stepdaughter V2 occupant.  She was the occupant of the black PWC driven by her grandfather, Operator2.  Operator1 told me that as a result of the crash, V2 occupant2 suffered a minor fracture to the ring finger on her left hand.  He also told me that his Father-in-Law Operator2 was still in the hospital. 

After speaking with Operator1, I went to Orlando Regional Medical Center and spoke with Operator2 in his hospital room.  Operator2 advised me that he suffered two broken ribs on his left side and a laceration to his spleen.  His spleen was repaired during a surgical procedure.   I asked him if he could tell me anything about the crash and he could only remember that he was riding a PWC with his granddaughter and his son-in-law ran into him.  He remembered being in the water and yelling for someone to “get her”. He has no other memory of the crash or how it occurred. 



Based on my investigation the following occurred:

Vessel 2 driven by Operator2 was traveling east across Lake Mills.  Vessel 1 driven by Operator was traveling east across Lake Mills, behind and to the left of V2.  V2 suddenly stopped and turned slightly to the left, directly in the path of V1.  Operator1 let off the throttle and attempted to turn his vessel to keep from striking V2.  Unable to turn without throttle, V1 continued forward and collided with V2 and both Occupants.  

V1 sustained damage to its hull, right of the keel and forward of midship.  The scratches and gouges were consistent with the impact to the left rear of V2 (See attached photos)

V2 sustained damage to stern port corner, occupants’ safety handle and left grip area of the handlebars. (See attached photos)
Injuries to the occupants of V2 were consistent with the impact damage and witness statements.  Operator of V2 sustained 2 broken ribs on his left side and a lacerated spleen.  The second occupant sustained minor fracture to her left hand.

Operator of V1 did not sustain any injuries as a result of the crash.

Operator of V1 was issued a citation for Careless Operation.

Lake Mills
OVIEDO                        