On Sunday, September 03, 2023 at 1313 hours MCSO Dispatch advised of a watercraft collision on the water of Lake Pleasant where one of the watercraft left the scene.

MCSO Dispatch was able to provide additional details that the complainant was in a blue and white watercraft in the area of Burro Island. Dispatch further advised the watercraft was struck by a red and black personal watercraft (PWC), occupied by two Hispanic males, which proceeded to leave the scene and was headed toward the 10 Lane Boat Ramp.

Contact was made with the blue and white watercraft which was free floating off the East point of Burro Island. The owner was identified as V2 Operator via his Arizona driver license. V2 Operator informed me he was operating the watercraft towards Desert Tortoise at which time  his watercraft started having some mechanical issues. V2 Operator stated he stopped the watercraft to try and troubleshoot the issue near the area they were currently at. V2 Operator stated a red jet ski (PWC) was traveling south headed directly toward his watercraft.

V2 Operator stated the front of the PWC struck the rear left hand side of his watercraft at which time both occupants on the PWC were ejected off the watercraft. V2 Operator stated a passenger on his watercraft, verbally identified as V2 Passenger, was sitting in the location of the collision but was able to move out of the way to avoid injury. V2 Operator stated after the collision, the occupants got back onto the PWC and began leaving the area. V2 Operator informed me all of the occupants on his watercraft were yelling at the PWC occupants they needed to stay but the PWC proceeded to leave. V2 Operator was able to provided a photo of the PWC which displayed AZ registration and I was able to observe the operator of the PWC as a slim build hispanic male with white shirt and bright colored neck covering. I observed damage on the rear port (left) side of V2 Operator's watercraft. The damage observed was black color transfer as well as cracked fiberglass, consistent with V2 Operator's statements. Photographs of the damage and the photo of the PWC with occupants were taken by Sgt. 1 and later uploaded to Evidence.com. Statements obtained by the other passengers were consistent with V2 Operator's statements. V2 Operator stated he was willing to aid in prosecution for the hit and run.

The information on the run vehicle was relayed to nearby units who were able to locate the PWC at the Concrete Spillway. Deputy 2, was able to locate the operator of the PWC based on the photograph provided by V2 Operator. The operator was identified as V1 Operator via his Mexico Passport. Through the Voiance language line V1 Operator stated he was operating the PWC, looked up and realized the PWC was headed straight for the other watercraft. V1 Operator indicated he tried to avoid the collision but the watercraft would not turn at which point both PWC occupants jumped off the watercraft. It should be noted the watercraft V1 Operator was operating is water jet powered. If power to the throttle is not applied, the watercraft will have minimal to no steering ability. V1 Operator stated he and the passenger both got back on the PWC but did not stay because he did not speak English and the occupants of the other watercraft were yelling at him in what sounded like an aggressive manner.

It should be noted the MCSO patrol watercraft passed V2 Operator's boat a couple minutes before the collision occurred and proceeded to patrol in the area of Jet Ski Point. V1 Operator's watercraft would have needed to pass the patrol watercraft in order to get back to their camp at the Concrete Spillway. No attempt was made by V1 Operator to flag down the patrol watercraft or report the matter to patrol units on the shore line upon their return to camp.

V1 Operator was issued a citation for ARS 5-349A3 for failing to remain on scene for a watercraft accident. The citation was explained (using Voiance language line) to V1 Operator...
LAKE PLEASANT
Peoria, AZ                    