Family Keeps Memory of Boy Killed by Intoxicated Boater Alive

LIBERTYVILLE, IL — A Wiffle Ball Tournament held in memory of a 10-year-old Libertyville boy who was hit and killed by an intoxicated boater will be held this weekend. The family and friends of Antonio "Tony" Borcia will gather at JoAnn Eckmann Park for the 7th annual tournament on Aug. 11.

The fund-raising event includes live music, food, raffles and a silent auction and last year raised $65,000 for the YNot Project, which was started in memory of Borcia to raise funds to promote safer waterways. The YNot project works mainly with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the Lake County Sheriff's Office and the McHenry County Sheriff's Office to improve safety on the Chain o' Lakes.

Borcia was hit and killed by a boater, who has since been convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol and cocaine, while tubing on the Chain O' Lakes on July 28, 2012. He was hit by the boater even though he was wearing a bright red life jacket and waving his arms while in Lake Petite, according to the YNot Project website.

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"The tragedy of Tony’s death may have been prevented if the driver had been stopped by the police when he was seen by witnesses hours earlier driving his boat erratically and recklessly," according to information posted on the TNot Project website. "Unfortunately, patrols on the Chain O’ Lakes have been drastically reduced because of budget cuts."

YNot Project fund-raising efforts has helped pay for a new patrol boat and more sophisticated breathalyzer equipment for the DNR and improved training for the DNR and Lake County Sheriff's Office.

"Essentially our goal is to prevent as many avoidable losses on the waterways as possible. We do not discourage boating. We do not discourage drinking. We want to prevent the combination," according to a news release. "We want to prioritize safety over the preservation of a culture that disregards the dangers of boating under the influence."

In addition to raising funds to prevent future tragedies on area waterways, the Wiffle Ball Tournament is also meant to raise awareness regarding the dangers of driving a boat while under the influence.

"Tony’s loss is still a very real presence in our lives," Borcia's family writes in a news release. "He would have just turned 17 years old. One person’s selfishness has cost everything. Please think twice before boating under the influence."

The Wiffle Ball Tournament will kick off at 8:30 a.m. on Aug. 11 at JoAnn Eckmann Park on Nathan Lane in Libertyville.

More via the YNotProject website

More on Patch

• Lawsuit Filed in Boating Accident that Killed Tony Borcia
• Obituary: Tony Borcia
• Libertyville District 70 to Officially Retire Tony Borcia's Jersey Number
• Libertyville Shows Support for Tony Borcia's Healing
• Bartlett Man Charged in Boating Accident that Killed Boy, 10