Anyone in Florida operating boat (or any watercraft) under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol may face harsh penalties. Individuals charged with boating under the influence, may pay a fine, serve jail time or face other penalties. Courts base BUI charges, in large part, on the results of a blood draw which indicate the amount of alcohol and/or drugs in the person’s system at the time of an incident.
According to Spectrum News 9, law enforcement is investigating the possibility that drugs and/or alcohol played a role in a recent boat accident. A 24-year-old male from Pinellas Park is facing possible charges of boating under the influence. He was operating an 18-foot 1999 Hewes boat that crashed into a seawall located at 8041 Sailboat Key Blvd. in South Pasadena. He was traveling in a slow speed/minimum wake zone and the collision occurred when he made a left turn heading westbound toward Intracoastal.
There were four other individuals in the boat at the time of the accident. The occupants included a 23-year-old female and 29-year-old female from St Petersburg, a 30-year-old male from Treasure Island and a 25-year-old male from Pinellas Park. The 23-year-old female and the 30-year-old female were both ejected from the boat. Everyone escaped harm, except for the 29-year-old female and the 30-year-old male who sustained serious injuries.
Law enforcement officials are waiting for the results of a blood draw to determine whether the boat driver is guilty of boating under the influence. Officials also suspect the driver may have been speeding. In situations like this, it might be a good idea to speak with an attorney who has experience defending BUI cases.