Teen Killed In Chelmsford Jet Ski Crash; Man Arrested

CHELMSFORD, MA — A girl was found dead in the Merrimack River in Chelmsford Monday after authorities said a drunk man struck her jet ski late Sunday. Douglas Dematos, 32, of Lowell, was arrested on a host of crimes and additional charges are possible, according to Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan. The girl was a 16-year-old Lowell resident. Her identity was not immediately released.

"The preliminary investigation suggests that Dematos had allegedly been operating a jet ski that apparently struck the rear of another jet ski being ridden by the female victim, a 16-year-old from Lowell, and another male," Ryan said in a statement. (Sign up for free daily newsletters and breaking news alerts from Chelmsford Patch.)

The girl was knocked into the water, Ryan said. The incident happened Sunday at about 10:30 p.m. Chelmsford Police Chief James Spinney said police were called to the river for a report of people "yelling and arguing."

"Officers conducted a preliminary investigation and learned that two jet skis had collided on the river, resulting in a female passenger on one of the jet skis being knocked into the water," Spinney said in a statement. "Officers determined that Dematos had been operating one of the jet skis and had allegedly been drinking alcohol prior to the collision."

Dematos was transported to Lowell General Hospital with injuries that were not believed to be life-threatening, Spinney said. Dematos was charged with:

• Operating a watercraft under the influence of liquor
• Negligent operation of a motor boat
• Operating a jet ski at night
• Operating an unregistered motor boat
• Operating at night without navigational lights
• Operating a jet ski too close to another vessel

Dematos will be arraigned in Lowell District Court after he is released from the hospital, Spinney said.