A boating crash at Haulover Sandbar early Saturday morning left this boat’s bow broken and chipped. Prosecutors have charged Daniel Lawson with recklessly driving the boat.
FWC says the crash seriously hurt three people, including a boy.
“One juvenile had a hairline skull fracture — multiple head injuries. An adult female had a collapsed lung, multiple fractured ribs, blood in the lungs, and a lacerated spleen,” said Judge Mindy Glazer.
FWC says the crash happened around 1 a.m. near Haulover Sandbar Saturday morning. Police arrested Lawson the next day.
“One juvenile and two adult females were seriously injured as a result, and transported to an area hospital for treatment,” said George Reynaud of FWC.
Lawson was lawyerless at his Monday morning court appearance.
FWC says Lawson didn’t tell police about the crash, and left to go park at a nearby sandbar.
Investigators say when they interviewed Lawson, he told them his boat was anchored when the crash happened, but they didn’t believe him.
“The FWC takes boating violations very seriously and encourages the public to report them,” said George Reynaud of FWC.
Officers also charged Lawson with tampering with physical evidence.
“He also called a towing company to try to get the vehicle removed from the water before law enforcement finished their examination,” Judge Glazer said.
Lawson was given a $45,000 bond, and a judge told Lawson he can’t drive a boat in the county while his case works its way through court.