A large boat struck a smaller vessel, throwing an occupant into the water before running over the victim, Sheriff Derek Sanders said.
BOSTON HARBOR, Wash. — A boater was arrested for assault by watercraft on Sunday after authorities say his vessel ran over a smaller boat, ejecting and seriously injuring one person.
Thurston County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the boat collision near Boston Harbor north of Olympia, where they found one person in the water with substantial injuries. According to Sheriff Derek Sanders, a large boat had struck a smaller vessel, throwing an occupant into the water before running over the victim.
The operator of the larger boat initially left the scene but returned a short time later. Multiple boaters from the nearby marina drove out to rescue the injured person, who was treading water despite significant injuries.
A TCSO detective and deputies conducted interviews and obtained video footage from witnesses, who reported that the operator of the larger boat was reckless. Based on the evidence and reports, they arrested the boat’s operator.
Sanders said the victim sustained significant injuries that may result in permanent disfigurement. He credited the marina boaters with potentially saving the victim’s life, saying the injured person may not have survived without their assistance.
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