UPDATE: Nearly a Year Later, Teen Boater Cited for Violations in Fatal Tubing Accident

Update: 1:58 p.m.

The announcement Friday that a state prosecutor issued three boating citations against the teen operator of the boat involved in last summer’s fatal tubing accident comes a week before the one-year anniversary of the incident that happened off Greenwich Point Park on a hot, sunny afternoon.

A quartet of girlfriends — all students at Greenwich High School — motored out onto Long Island Sound aboard a 21-foot Wahoo powerboat for an afternoon of tubing.

It was between 2 p.m. and 2:30 p.m., two girls were dislodged from their tube — one to two miles off shore. The operator of the boat, now identified as Elizabeth Lewis of Chapel Lane in Riverside, made a turn to pick up the girls when the boat collided with them. The propeller of the outboard engine struck both girls — one received a non-life threatening injury and has since recovered. The other, 16-year-old Emily Fedorko, suffered fatal injuries to her torso.

Lewis and one of the other teens, who also hasn’t been identified, helped both victims onto the boat and then raced back to the Old Greenwich Yacht Club at Greenwich Point. It was there that Fedorko was pronounced dead.

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In the days that followed there was an outpouring of community grief. The Greenwich High School community gathered to support one another. A vigil was held at the Arch Street Teen Center where Emily was an active member.

And with Friday’s announcement that Elizabeth was cited for three boating violations as the one-year statute of limitations was about to expire, Greenwich Police advised that counseling services are available as psychological wounds may be reopened for some. [Details of the citations as well as counseling services available can be found below.]

In the months following Emily’s death, the Fedorko family established the Emily Catherine Fedorko Foundation to promote towing safety throughout the country. The family continues to visit boat shows to distribute information, tell their story and hand out stickers to be placed near throttles and ignition switches to “Turn It Off For Emily” when approaching anyone in the water.

In February, Joseph and Pam Fedorko testified before the Connecticut Legislature’s Environment Committee to voice their support of Emily’s bill — which would revise state boating regulations and impose stricter guidelines for teen boat operators. The bill was sponsored by the Fedorko family friend and state Senator, L. Scott Frantz (R-36) who accompanied them when they testified.

On June 4, Gov. Dannel Malloy signed Emily’s Law — 16 days after it was unanimously approved by the state House of Representatives. The law, which among its provisions increases the age in which a teen can legally operate a boat, becomes effective Oct. 1.

Original story: 1:10 p.m.

The Greenwich Police Department announced Friday that it has completed the investigation into the Aug. 6, 2014 boating accident and that the boat operator has been issued three infractions for the accident that killed Old Greenwich teen Emily Fedorko.

Investigators from the Marine Section, Detective Division, as well as marine accident experts at the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection “have invested hundreds of hours determining the facts surrounding the boating accident. Officers have consulted with members of each of the families directly involved and with other maritime experts. Over the last year, our investigators have considered at length what is the most appropriate outcome from a law enforcement perspective with regard to this this tragic event,” police said in a statement.

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On Monday, July 27, with the one-year statute of limitations closing on some of the most likely charges, investigators received word from the State Attorney Office for Juvenile Matters, police said. SSA John Capozzi concluded that only the boat’s operator, Elizabeth Lewis, 17, of 6 Chapel Ln., Riverside, would be prosecuted for Violation of Boating Regulations, Requirements When Waterskiing - Insufficient and Rules Preventing Collision.

Lewis was issued an infraction complaint ticket with fines totaling $150 on July 30, police said. The decision comes after a review that included the State Environmental Conservation Police (ENCON) who conducted an accident reconstruction and mechanical evaluation of the vessel.

Police said in their statement, “There is not enough room in a press release to express the deep sympathy the Investigators feel for the family of Emily Fedorko and for her friends who were present that day. The entire Greenwich Police Department extends our condolences. This official act concludes the investigation into the August 6, 2014 boating accident, and it is our hope that it will bring some closure to the families involved.”

Police also said that the decision to issue the citations”may cause a strong emotional response for some. If anyone is struggling with this event, please reach out to a professional counselor.”

Police advised using these agencies:

• CHILD GUIDANCE CENTER FAMILY CENTERS: Call 211 for Emergency Mobile Crisis Hotline
• FAMILY CENTERS: Call 203-655-4693
• KIDS IN CRISIS: Call Hotline at 203-622-6556

Check back for updates.

Photo: Emily Fedorko.