Maricopa County Sheriff's Department: Fatal Boat Crash-Barlett Lake

Press release from the Maricopa County Sheriff's Department:

03/09/2021

On Monday, March 8, 2021 at approximately 10:43am, Bartlett Lake Patrol Deputies responded to a fatal boat crash involving two bass boats just north of Rattlesnake Cove. 

65-year-old Matthew Burlington was operating his Nitro bass boat, traveling north along the west side of the lake north of Rattlesnake Cove. This is contrary to the traffic pattern.  

The second boat was being operated by two adult males, ages 61 and 72. The Nitro bass boat #2 was traveling south along the west side of the lake north of Rattlesnake Cove. This area is marked with hazard buoy’s warning boaters of a submerged reef. As boat #2 was traveling south along the buoy line, the boat being operated by Matthew suddenly altered its course by turning directly into boat #2’s path. The operator of boat #2 was unable to make an evasive maneuver and ramped over Matthew’s boat.

All three men were ejected into the water. The two adult males in boat #2 sustained minor injuries and were both wearing personal floatation devices. Matthew sustained traumatic life-threatening injuries upon impact.

The investigation has revealed that impairment did not contribute to this collision.  This incident will remain open pending a thorough examination of both watercrafts involved and the Medical Examiner’s findings. 

This is an ongoing investigation and all the information available for release at this time.

This press release was produced by the Maricopa County Sheriff's Department. The views expressed here are the author’s own.