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No Charges Filed In Teens' Watercraft Accident

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Tampa Tribune

Published: May 25, 2008

TAMPA - The state wildlife commission today identified the two teenage boys injured when their personal watercraft ran under a dock on Egypt Lake on Saturday as James and Benjamin Parker, both of Tampa.

James Parker, 14, was driving the watercraft and Benjamin Parker, 13, was a passenger, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said.

Both live at 9865 Meadow Field Circle, Tampa.

The commission also said no charges will be filed.

The accident occurred about 1:30 p.m. when the watercraft ran beneath a dock at high speed, spokesman Gary Morse said Saturday.

Both boys were wearing life jackets. State regulations require anyone driving a personal watercraft to be at least 14 and have a boating safety card. Investigators did not know whether James Parker had received the card issued after taking safety courses.

Personal watercraft make up 13 percent of the registered vessels in Florida but accounted for 21 percent of the state's boating accidents in 2007 and 21 percent of boating fatalities.

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