Authorities are
reporting that a manhunt led to the arrest of a man off the Lake Worth, Florida
inlet last month, after he attempted to escape from the scene of a boating accident.
The boat operator, who’s being reported as a 47-year-old man from
Delray Beach, is currently facing three misdemeanors for his role in the
incident, which involved multiple parties. According to the Florida Fish
and Wildlife Commission (or FWC), officers received a call reporting a
boating accident on the south side of the Lake Worth inlet on the night
of December 30th. The officers communicated with the man, telling him to stay on the nearby
jetty but away from the boat in question. Ten minutes later, when officers
arrived at the scene of the accident, the man had fled. This prompted
an hour-long manhunt by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, in conjunction
with the West Palm Beach Police and the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office.
The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s helicopter eventually located the
suspect hiding in mangrove shrubs in the surrounding area. After failing
to listen to verbal commands from officers on the scene ordering him to
surrender peacefully, the man was arrested when officers entered the mangroves.
He was then charged with reckless operation of a vessel, resisting arrest
without violence, and leaving the scene of the accident without notifying
law enforcement and the other individual affected.
What to Do If You Have Been Injured in a Boating Accident
When boating accidents like the one which recently happened in Palm Beach
County occur, it is important to hold all negligent parties responsible.
Boat owners whose careless actions result in accidents and cause harm
to other individuals can be named in a
personal injury suit, and found liable for damages in a court of law.
You may be eligible for compensation following a boating accident if you are:
- A boat operator who has suffered injury because of another boat operator
- A swimmer who has suffered injury after being struck by a boat
- A visitor or resident of a community who suffered injury as a result of
a boat owner’s recklessness
- A passenger on a boat who suffered injury due to the actions of an individual
piloting the vessel you were aboard/another vessel on the water
Contact Paulsen Law Group Today
At
Paulsen Law Group, our
Dunedin boating accident attorneys are committed to holding all motorists accountable, whether they are on
the land or in the water. From boats, to
cars, to
trucks, to
motorcycles, it is our firm’s mission to make transportation a little bit safer
for everyone. We even represent individuals injured in
bike accidents. Whether you are a driver, boat operator, or
pedestrian, we believe that you deserve your fair day in court. Call us now to schedule
a free consultation, and find out what our skilled personal injury lawyers
can do for you.
Dial (727) 270-8260 today to talk to an attorney, or
click here to fill out our contact form at your convenience.