Nassau Man Charged With Manslaughter In Jet Skier's 2019 Death

MINEOLA, NY — An Oceanside man was arraigned Thursday on a manslaughter charge in the 2019 death of an 18-year-old jet skier, who was fatally struck by a speedboat.

Christopher Palma, 48, was charged with second-degree with manslaughter and second-degree assault in the death of Caitlin McDonald, Nassau prosecutors said.

Palma, who pleaded not guilty, was also indicted on charges of criminally negligent homicide and reckless operation of a vessel. Bail was set at $20,000 bond or cash, or $10,000 partially secured bond.

"This defendant allegedly failed to heed navigation rules, recklessly sped toward a line of jet skiers and careened into the jet ski of 18-year-old Caitlin McDonald, killing her," Anne Donnelly, the Nassau County district attorney, said in a news release. "Our thoughts remain with the McDonald family as we prosecute this case. We hope that today’s indictment is a reminder to all those using Nassau’s waterways for recreation that we will pursue criminal charges when vessels are operated recklessly and dangerously."

On the morning of July 14, 2019, McDonald, of Rockville Centre, and others, including her father, were on a jet ski tour near Baldwin Harbor.

The skis were traveling in a single file line perpendicular to the path of Palma’s vessel, a Fountain Lightning speed boat.

Palma, an experienced boater, was speeding in the boat at that time, prosecutors said. He was required to reduce speed and yield the right of way to the jet ski, but failed to stop, and the vessels collided.

McDonald was thrown into the water with grave injuries. She died of her injuries.

Palma is due in court Jan. 31. If convicted of the top count, he faces a up to five years to 15 years in prison, Donnelly said.