Wave Runner Hits Boat, Crystal Lake Man Seriously Injured: Police

LAKE COUNTY, IL — Alcohol appears to be a factor in a collision involving a wave runner and a deck boat on Petite Lake over the weekend that left a 53-year-old Crystal Lake man with serious injuries, authorities said.

The Yamaha Wave Runner ran into the Hurricane Deck Boat at about 3:10 p.m. Saturday when the deck boat was traveling south out of the Long Channel and entering Petite Lake. The Yamaha, which was headed west across Petite Lake, hit the front of the boat, according to a news release from the sheriff's office.

The driver of the Wave Runner, a 53-year-old Crystal Lake man, was thrown from his jet ski. He was wearing a life jacket and landed face down in the water. He was initially unconscious and a Good Samaritan was able to pull him from the water, according to authorities.

The man was taken to Condell Medical Center with serious injuries. The driver of the boat, a 53-year-old Volo man, was not injured.

Authorities believe alcohol was a contributing factor for the driver of the Wave Runner, according to a news release.

The crash remains under investigation by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit and criminal charges are possible.