On July 6th, 2023 at approximately 1500 hours, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) was advised of a boating accident between to rental personal watercraft vessels (PWC) on East Lake Tohopekaliga. While responding to the area, I contacted Saint Cloud Police department who was the first responding agency on-scene. The St Cloud PD officer advised that he had assisted in getting two rental PWCs back to the ramp at Lakefront and that he had advised the operators to stay at the ramp until FWC took their information. 
I arrived on-scene at approximately 1545 hours and observed the two personal watercraft vessels that were involved sitting on a trailer. I met with the livery who advised me that they had two PWCs collide and sink out on the lake. 
Vessel 1 White 2022 BRP Personal Watercraft
Estimated Damages - $5,000 
Significant water 
Vessel 2  - Orange 2022 Bombardier Personal Watercraft
Estimated Damages - $5,000
Vessel 2 was traveling Northwest on East Lake Tohopekaliga at approximately 30 mph when Vessel 1 that was traveling North bound made a sudden change of speed and direction. Vessel 2 collided with the starboard side of Vessel 1 causing significant damages and compromising both hulls. Vessel 2s operator was ejected at the time of the accident. Both Jet skis were attempting to make it back to the boat ramp when they sunk and were sitting on the lake-bottom just North of the Lakefront boat ramp.
The rental owners stated that St Cloud Police department assisted in getting the vessels back to the ramp and onto the trailer. One of the rental's employees advised that she was the group leader for the group and that she witnessed parts of the accident. They provided a sworn written statement on her recollection of the event. 
The rental owners advised me that OP1 had left the scene already but that OP2 was waiting nearby in a vehicle. 
I went over to OP2's vehicle and asked for his recollection of the events of the boating accident. I asked OP2 if he was injured and he replied that he was not injured. When asked about the events of the accident OP2 stated that he and his Nephew had collided on their rental PWCs and that he was ejected from the impact. OP2 stated once again that he was not injured when asked. OP2 stated that he was traveling approximately 30 mph at the time of the accident. OP2 stated that they had only been riding for a few minutes and at one point he and his nephew were traveling side by side. OP2 stated that once back at the ramp he advised his nephew that he could leave and that OP1 was on his way back to Kissimmee. OP2 stated that he was taking full responsibility for the accident and that the other people were just young people. OP2 provided a sworn written statement on his account of the incident. 
I made contact with OP1 via cell phone and advised him that he needed to come back to the scene of the boating accident to provide a statement on the events that occurred. OP1 arrived with his occupant. OP1 confirmed that he was the operator of V1 and that the occupant of V1 and was sitting behind him. OP1 advised that neither he or occupant were injured as a result of the accident. OP1 advised that he had approximately 40 hours of experience operating personal watercrafts. OP1 provided a sworn written statement on his recollection of the accident.

East Lake Tohopekaliga
KISSIMMEE                     