A wrongful death suit has been filed in Utah, stemming from a horrific boating accident.
The facts here are rather unbelievable. The suit contends that the driver of a boat negligently struck the decedent while she was swimming, causing critical injuries, as the propeller “tore” into her torso and lower abdomen. It gets worse from here. According to witnesses, after striking the swimmer, the boat turned around and the boat’s occupants were overheard calling to the woman. They were heard yelling, “Hey lady, are you all right?” The witnesses said that the defendants talked to the decedent, but did not offer aide and left the scene, leaving her in the water bleeding and severely injured.
In addition to five John Does, three men were named in the suit, claiming that the men failed their “duty” to use “reasonable care” to avoid an accident. The suit further claims that the power boat was operated in a negligent and reckless manner. The driver and at least one other occupant had smoked marijuana prior to the accident, and at least three of the occupants had been drinking alcohol.
The lawsuit goes on to state that the Defendants’ acts and omissions “were the result of willful and malicious conduct or conduct that manifests a knowing and reckless indifference toward, and a disregard of the rights of others.” I’m not quite sure if being “under the influence” had anything to do with their choice to leave the scene without rendering assistance, but one could only hope that was not the case. I can’t imagine that an individual, let alone eight, could leave a woman struggling for her life, while they tore off hoping not to have been noticed – something rather difficult to do in a speed boat.
No criminal charges have been filed against the three men yet, as investigators were waiting for the results of forensic testing.