2 Injured in Jet Ski Crash in Fox Lake: Police

FOX LAKE, IL — Two people were injured after two personal watercrafts collided on Pistakee Lake in Fox Lake over the weekend, police said.

Marine Unit deputies responded to the 400 block of Castle Road at about 1:25 p.m. on Saturday for a reported boat crash involving injuries, Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli told Patch.

The personal watercrafts were operating together south of Cedar Island on Pistakee Lake when the collision occurred, Covelli said. A a 23-year-old man operating one of the personal watercrafts was traveling near the second watercraft, which was being operated by a 17-year-old boy.

Authorities said the two watercrafts crossed paths and failed to yield to one another. In an apparent attempt to avoid a collision, the operator of one of the watercrafts steered to the right but rode up onto the left side of the second wtercraft, striking a rear passenger, a 26-year-old man. The passenger sustained a severe laceration to his left leg, Covelli said.

No occupants were ejected from either watercraft, and both personal watercrafts were able to return to a home in Fox Lake before rescue personnel were contacted.

The injured passenger was assisted onto a gurney and transported to Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital, where he remains in stable condition. Hospital staff indicated he is awaiting X-rays to determine whether any fractures are present, Covelli said.

Covelli said preliminary findings show the 23-year-old man did not appear to possess a valid boater safety education certificate, which is required under Illinois law.

The incident remains under investigation by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit.