On June 8th, 2023, we responded to a hit in run vessel accident involving 2 jetskis. One injured party involved on struck vessel. Striking vessel left the scene of the accident. 
	On June 4th, 2023, at 6:55 PM, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) received a call from our dispatch about a vessel accident just southeast of the Polma Sola Causeway, involving two jet skis. Manatee County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) had called our dispatch about the accident and informed us one of the jet skis left the scene immediately after the accident. MSCO also advised our dispatch that there was a 12-year-old child that was injured on the struck jet ski and was being transported to the Manatee Memorial Hospital. 
	At this time, we began to drive to Manatee County. I called the MCSO Deputy that was originally on scene for more information. He informed us that the vessel the was struck is a rental jet ski and confirmed with me the child was being transported to Manatee Memorial Hospital. He was able to provide me with the phone number and name of the injured child’s mother, who was operating the struck jet ski. 
	I called the mother of the injured child for more information and to advise her that we would be conducting the investigation. She was able to give me a description of what the man who struck her and her daughter looked like. She said he was a Hispanic man with a white and blue soccer shirt on wearing a blue life jacket over the shirt. I let her know that we were on the way and would follow up more in detail about the accident. 
	I called the MCSO Deputy back and gave him the description of the jet ski operator that left the scene. I asked if he could send the information out to other deputies in the area and if they could check the boat ramps for a subject matching that description, or a damaged jet ski. The MCSO Deputy replied they would and would also let Holmes Beach PD know as well so they can check the boat ramps in their jurisdiction. I then called the rental company who had the struck jet ski  and advised them that I would need to see the jet ski and photograph it. Due to the sun setting we decided to photograph the damaged jet ski first to assess any damage done to it. 
	At approximately 8:00 PM we arrived at the Polma Sola Boat Ramp and met with MANAGER. He informed us of the location where the incident happened but that he didn’t see it happen and only knew what OP1 told him. We took photographs of the jet ski. The damage to the jet ski itself was very minor and only consisted of scratches, all of which were photographed and documented. MANAGER pulled the jet ski out of the water and onto a trailer so we could see everything, and we found no more damage. 
	At approximately 8:40 PM we arrived at the Manatee Memorial Hospital. We met with OP1. She explained what happened during the accident. She told us they had just turned heading north towards the Polma Sola Causeway. OP1 was operating the jet ski, her daughter was a passenger on the back. At this point in time, she observed a vessel coming in her direction from her left. She began to turn the jet ski right to move out of the way when the other jet ski struck her. When the other jet ski struck jet ski on the left rear (Port, Stern) of the vessel, riding up onto the back of VICTIM then slid off her back into the water. The striking vessel immediately left the scene. OP1 informed us that at that time her daughter had lost consciousness for up to one minute. OP1 drove the jet ski back to the beach informing manager what happened and left for the hospital. Subject was admitted and treated at the hospital for minor injuries

Polma Sola Bay
BRADENTON                     