Synopsis

On Monday, January 2nd, 2023, at approximately 1644 hours, a two-vessel boating collision occurred on Blackwater Sound west of Rowell’s Waterfront Park, 104550 Overseas Highway, Key Largo, FL. The vessel, a 2023, 25’ Skeeter, herein after referred to as V-1, with the operator and one occupant onboard, had been traveling south on plane when it collided with a personal watercraft (PWC). 

The PWC, a 2022, 11’ Yamaha, herein after referred to as V-2, with only the operator onboard had been traveling east. Both the operator and occupant were ejected from V-1, as well as the operator from V-2, as a result of the collision. The operator of V-2 was transported to Baptist Health Mariners Hospital and later pronounced deceased. 


See Investigative Case Report ISR 087461 for further information. Operator2: Evidence of Injury  Head and Neck:  A dislocation with fracture is seen in the 1st and 2nd cervical vertebrae. Subdural and subarachnoid hemorrhage is seen at the base of the brain.   Torso: A 1 x 3/4 inch brown bruise is in the left side of the mid chest. Multiple bilateral rib fractures are seen. A fracture of the mid sternum is seen. The pericardial sac is ruptured. The pulmonic veins are lacerated. Multiple contusions and lacerations are seen in both lungs, causing approximately 1 liter of liquid and clotted blood to collect within the left side of the thoracic cavity and 750 milliliters of liquid and clotted blood to collect within the right side of the thoracic cavity. Multiple lacerations of the spleen are present.   Extremities: The left humerus is fractured. A 3/4 inch laceration is in the lateral aspect of the upper left extremity. A 3 1/2  x 1 1/2 inch are of red abrasions is in the ventral surface of the right thigh. A 1 1/2 x 3/4 inch area of red abrasions is in the right knee. A 5 1/2 x 2 1/2 inch brown bruise is in the medial aspect of the right knee. A 3 x 2 inch area of lacerations and red abrasions is in the left knee. The left femur is fractured. A 1/2 inch laceration is in the lateral aspect of the left thigh. A 3/8 inch laceration is in the lateral aspect of the left thigh.  This victim, died as a result of Multiple Blunt Force Injuries.   The manner of death is determined to be: Accident.

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Incident

At 1643 hours, Operator1 operated with V1 subject1 seated on his starboard (right) side. V-1 passed by Stellrecht Point and headed south towards Jimmy Johnson’s Big Chill Restaurant, while Operator2 operated V-2 east towards Rowell’s Waterfront Park. 

At approximately 1644 hours, V-2’s port (left) side collided into V-1’s starboard bow (right front). Operator2’s body impacted V-2 and possibly V-1, causing fatal injuries and causing him to fall into the water.  Operator1 and V1 subject1 were ejected and landed in the water uninjured.  

Post-Incident

Unoccupied V-1 continued to run.  It turned in tight counterclockwise circles at speeds ranging from 18 to 20 mph.   V-2 also continued to run and turned in counterclockwise circles.  However, at idle speed.  Due to the fact that both vessels kept running, neither operator had been wearing their respective engine cut off lanyard.   

Subject1, who was riding alongside and slightly behind of Operator2 at the time of the impact, turned around, jumped into the water, and began assisting Operator2 by holding his head above the water. 

Operator1 took the PWC, Subject1 had been operating, drove alongside V-1, damaging the PWC’s starboard mirror, and jumped on board V-1, eventually bringing it to a stop. 

An unidentified witness on a small white vessel pulled up and assisted the three people in the water.  The Good Samaritan helped V1 subject1 and Subject1 get Operator2 aboard and to shore at Rowell’s Waterfront Park.

At 1645 hours, the first 911 call was made. 

At 1650 hours, Key Largo EMS and Key Largo Fire Department arrived at Rowell’s Waterfront Park. They found Operator2 laying on the deck of a small boat with Good Samaritans performing CPR.  Operator2 was transported to Baptist Health Mariners hospital and was pronounced deceased at 1736 hours by Dr.
Blackwater Sound
KEY LARGO                     