Calif. mom dies in rear-end boat crash

[RVRGIRL]

Calif. mom dies in rear-end boat crash :frown:
By Gary Weiand
Sunday, September 12, 2004 10:28 PM MDT
A California woman died on Lake Havasu Saturday after the boat she was riding in was struck from behind by another vessel piloted by a family friend.
Jennifer Marie Myers, 31, of Yucca Valley suffered severe head trauma in the mid-afternoon crash, according to the Mohave County Sheriff's Office. Trish Carter, sheriff's media specialist, said Myers was alive at the scene of the accident, but died a short time later at Sand Point Marina.
Carter said Myers and her two children were passengers in a 24-foot Cheetah boat driven by her husband Richard. The second boat, a 27-foot Eliminator, driven by Alex Lance Cody, 35, also of Yucca Valley, was carrying four adults and four children. All 12 people were friends.
The two parties were searching for a third boat, also filled with friends, Carter said, when the collision occurred on the Arizona side of Lake Havasu near Sand Isle, two miles south of Steamboat Cove.
The Eliminator was following directly behind the Cheetah - not at a high rate of speed, Carter said - when the Cheetah slowed down. For an undetermined reason the Eliminator failed to slow, and came over the top of the Cheetah, she said.
Myers was the only person seriously injured in the crash, Carter said.
The MCSO was called to the scene at 2:53 p.m., Carter said. The Bureau of Land Management, San Bernardino County, Calif., Sheriff's Office, Lake Havasu City Police Department, and U. S. Coast Guard also responded to the crash.
The crash is being investigated; no charges have yet been filed, Carter said.
Myers' death was the fifth on Lake Havasu this year and the ninth to occur on the Colorado River between Topock Marina and Parker Dam. Four people were killed on Labor Day when their boat struck a cement abutment supporting the Interstate 40 bridge over the river. The bodies of three of those victims have been recovered; law enforcement officials are still searching for the fourth.
Saturday's fatal accident was only one of three incidents to which the Lake Havasu City Fire Department responded on Saturday.
Charlie Cassens, city public information officer, said that two engines and a hazardous materials unit responded about 7:30 a.m. when a boat sank in the docking area near Kokomo's, spilling some 40 gallons of fuel. Crews worked three hours to contain and absorb the spill, he said.
Cassens said that two men were bitten while attempting to aid a dog after it had been severely injured by a boat propeller about 1:30 p.m. One man was bitten in the face, the other on the arm; both were transported by ambulance to Havasu Regional Medical Center, he said. The dog was transported to Novak Animal Care on Maricopa Avenue.
Cassens said that no further information was available on the condition of the men or the dog.
You may contact the reporter at gweiand@havasunews.com.

[C-2]

:frown: :frown: :frown:

[jbtrailerjim]

Very sad. :frown: :frown: Be careful out there everyone.

[FMluvswater]

:( :( So tragic. My heart goes out to her family and friends.
~FM

[andy01]

Man I am so glad I decided to throw in the towel on the river! It just gets worse and worse and worse.
This sucks for the familys in volved!
Andy

[Kilrtoy]

Hopefully, angels will help carry the families thru these heart wrenching times.......

[IN2-IN2MX]

:frown: That's awful. Sorry to hear this.

[timewarp]

Our Prayers are with their friends and family, what a horrible accident.

[topless]

OMG!........... Thats the one. I just talked to Connie and she is devistated. They were all friends and say no alcohol was involved. The saddest part is that the children saw and witnessest the entire incedent. I could never imagine my kids seeing anything of that magnitude. Please pray for them. I know I will.

[Charley]

:frown: :frown: :frown:
Our Prayers go out to the families

[copperrat20]

My thoughts and prayers go out to their family. :frown:

[racecar.hotshoe]

Hopefully, angels will help carry the families thru these heart wrenching times.......
:frown: Ditto :frown:

[moneypit]

Everytime I read about this stuff, I just wonder what's going through some of these drivers heads. I feel for the family and those poor kids that had to witness their mom dying. Alcohol was not involved? Then that makes that guy even more brainless.
I can smell the future coming everytime I read about one more death. Somethings going to happen to pleasure boating as we know it and we'll get to thank all the dumb mother f'er's that can't drive a boat.
Sickening

[roln 20s]

:( This is horribly sad--I am sorry to hear that. My heart goes out to the families involved--this is another sad trajedy.
Roln 20s

[Mandelon]

Just a couple seconds of inattention................that's all it takes. :frown: :frown:

[Hallett]

this is so sad, i think things will change on the lake soon
with the year we have had . i will pray for the family. :frown:

[JetBoatRich]

Our Heart goes out to all involved, the poor children who were there and seen this terrible accident. Bless them and watch over them.

[Huckleberry]

Very, very sad! :frown: My condolences to the families involved in this unfortunate collision.

[cc322]

:frown: Very sad indeed

[FRENCHIE]

terrible, just terrible!! :(

[RiverOtter]

Boats Don't Have Brakes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ahhell]

very sad for all, involved or not :frown:

[BarryMac]

What a tragedy, I am deeply saddened by the loss, my thoughts and prayers are with all parties involved... :frown: :frown: :frown:
gjb

[79miller]

I know the pain going through everyone involved in the Topock accident last week. My thoughts and condolences go out to those involved in this terrible accident and am glad to see many of same kind HB members offering the same. Be safe out there....

[spectratoad]

Somehow it is even worse when it is truely an accident. They were both looking for another boat and I am sure the follower, for just a second was looking left or right. Only a second is all that it takes. A true tragedy for all involved. :( :(

[Screemy1]

:( Never follow someone if you can not look at the boat your following at all times... I hate it when I am being followed directly behind me... even if it is a friend... I have always worried that that could happen, thought I was being paranoid... guess not... Wish everyone well.... One second=lives changed forever! :(

[little rowe boat]

This is very sad,for all involved.An incident like this is rare for the south end of the lake.The south end is usually less crowded,so less chance of boats getting together.Too many tragedies on the water lately. :frown:

[Her454]

This just makes me sick to my stomach when I read things like this. I am so sorry for the families of all involved. Way too much of this happening each year. I know there is alot of fun to be had on Lake Havasu but one of the reasons I moved back to NorCal is the congestion on the lake and the disregard for safety.
I wouldnt take my kids on that lake for all the tea in china anymore, its not worth it....I hope people start paying more attention, too many lives are being lost. :frown: :frown: :frown:

[charlyox]

major bummer. :( and the kids saw all of that happen

[Big_Gunz_]

My thoughts and prayers goes out to all family and friends involved in this terrible accident.

[Sane Asylum]

Right now I sit here sick to my stomach after reading this....I'm going to say a prayer for this family and I hope they have the strength to get through this........ :frown: :frown: :frown: :frown:
Now........I am getting to the point that boating safety courses, skills testing and competency assessments are going to be part of owning a boat. Kindof like driving a car......We don't let people behind the wheel until they've passed a skills and written test.
I believe boating courses teach about following or trailing boats (shouldn't do it) and awareness. I think there's something about signaling also.
Do you think if we mandated boating/safety courses for all that the lake would be a safer place.....Me tinks so.....It's my position and I'm signing up for one today.
I can't stand this chit anymore.......I've got a 4 and 6 year old (boys) and I'm teaching them that the water is the only place to be....I'm having to rethink.......
In the last two big incidents (topock and now this)I believe you'll find that inattention, lack of knowledge and awareness and maybe alcohol (and going 35 mph at night in a narrow river with currents and concrete bridge abutments) is the cause....This is what legislators want to hear.....They'll legislate some safety............QUICKLY.....If we don't do it ourselves.....

[Speedin' Ian]

This is so sad and my heart goes out to everyone envolved. Let us all learn our lesson from these accidents and practice more safety and common sense on the water. I will be the first to admit that I love going to the lake and sucking back cold ones, but I always make sure I have a sober driver and I encourage all of you to do the same (I'm not saying alcohol was envolved in this accident, but we all know it is envolved in most).
Here is an idea that has worked very well for me and may work for some of you. Everytime I go to the lake and I know there will be a lot of partying going on I take my 19yr old cousin as a designated driver. He doesn't drink, but loves the lake, so we pay his way and he drives the truck to the lake, drives the boat all weekend, and then drives us home. He gets a free trip to the river/lake and we get an experienced sober driver the whole time.

[HM]

This sounds like a real accident. I don't think there were any major brain farts going on, just a very bad accident and a difficult driving lesson.
I was in a boat that nearly ran over another boat several years ago, doing the same thing....following. We were in a 19' Cheetah jet and we were following a friend in a 24' Baja at Havasu. We were following the Baja as it was smooting out the rough water for us. Both I and the driver looked at a houseboat we were passing, with a ton of people on it, when we looked forward, our buddy had decided to stop. We were right on him with no chance to stop, but my buddy is a very experienced driver turned the wheel and mashed the gas (it is a jet, don't turn unless under power) and we missed the Baja by a few feet and soaked everyone. It happed in literally in a couple seconds. Our buddy was a bit pissed and thought we did it on purpose because he heard our motor rev, but after our explanation, he said holysheet, I would have never thought to hit the gas.
Our lesson taught us a couple things now when following and being followed:
If being followed, when time to slow down, check the boat following and turn out of his path.
If following, don't look away, especially if distance does not allow. Seems silly, but we did not expect our buddy to just stop in the middle of the lake. This seems like common sense, but who has been out on Parker or any water on a big weekend and found themselves closer to the boat in front of them that they would like? Parker gets like a freeway, only no brakes.
For those who are worried about the kids, the kids usually handle this stuff much better than the grownups.
Our prayers go out to all the families involved.

[Krumbsnatcher]

Right now I sit here sick to my stomach after reading this....I'm going to say a prayer for this family and I hope they have the strength to get through this........ :frown: :frown: :frown: :frown:
Now........I am getting to the point that boating safety courses, skills testing and competency assessments are going to be part of owning a boat. Kindof like driving a car......We don't let people behind the wheel until they've passed a skills and written test.
I believe boating courses teach about following or trailing boats (shouldn't do it) and awareness. I think there's something about signaling also.
Do you think if we mandated boating/safety courses for all that the lake would be a safer place.....Me tinks so.....It's my position and I'm signing up for one today.
I can't stand this chit anymore.......I've got a 4 and 6 year old (boys) and I'm teaching them that the water is the only place to be....I'm having to rethink.......
In the last two big incidents (topock and now this)I believe you'll find that inattention, lack of knowledge and awareness and maybe alcohol (and going 35 mph at night in a narrow river with currents and concrete bridge abutments) is the cause....This is what legislators want to hear.....They'll legislate some safety............QUICKLY.....If we don't do it ourselves.....
Boating needs skills, but if you lack common sense all the skill in the world will not prevent accidents that could of easily been avoided. It does not matter where you are on the water out in the sand at Glamis.
People need to think before operating performance vehicles period.

[Sane Asylum]

Boating needs skills, but if you lack common sense all the skill in the world will not prevent accidents that could of easily been avoided. It does not matter where you are on the water out in the sand at Glamis.
People need to think before operating performance vehicles period.
Krumb....Couldn't agree with you more.....I think I've got a lot of common sense and most of the people I boat with are go fast boaters and they have a lot of common sense...BUT...................
If you attend a boating safety course, it will make you more competent.....PERIOD....Anyway...What could it hurt...If it saves one life is it worth my time??? You bet your arse it is.....
I've been in some type of boat since before I could walk....I've owned/operated some type of boat since my 14th birthday....My family lived under the rule that you have a boat and a car before you have two cars......
My current boat does 82'ish mph and has some kick a$$ acceleration......But I think I may get something out of the class that I didn't know....If I do and it keeps me out of one chit situation.....Then it was worth it..
I roadraced motorcycles for almost nine years......After about 4 years and with an expert license for three of em', thinking I knew everything there was to know.... I decided to take an advanced course that includes some safety.....Guess what....I learned something....
This is all I'm saying.....we're never too old, too experienced or too knowledgeable to try and learn something new......
BTW.....Nice boat in the AV....what is it...??

[redbuddy]

All involved in this were good friends of mine, and I have many hours of boating alongside them.
This was nothing more than an accident, Lance is a very educated boater.
It just happened that all things were in place at that time for this to happen,
with no one person at fault. This could happen to anyone of us.
Alcohol was not involved nor inattention or poor boating skills, just unfourtenate timing. All involved have to live with what occured and what they saw. Everybody is shaken by this, lets not play armchair quarter back
or make judgement calls on things you did not see.
We are all for better boating rules or licenses, but just because someone is involved in an accident, does not meen they are a poor boater.
Please pray for all.
Redbuddy
'99 32' A/T

[topless]

They are in my prayers. Very sad for all. I work with Richards Aunt. She is very shaken up today.

[Sane Asylum]

All involved in this were good friends of mine, and I have many hours of boating alongside them.
This was nothing more than an accident, Lance is a very educated boater.
It just happened that all things were in place at that time for this to happen,
with no one person at fault. This could happen to anyone of us.
Alcohol was not involved nor inattention or poor boating skills, just unfourtenate timing. All involved have to live with what occured and what they saw. Everybody is shaken by this, lets not play armchair quarter back
or make judgement calls on things you did not see.
We are all for better boating rules or licenses, but just because someone is involved in an accident, does not meen they are a poor boater.
Please pray for all.
Redbuddy
'99 32' A/T
Agree....Didn't mean to armchair and apologize if that's the way it sounded......Just my humble .02 worth...It's all just very very SAD and tragic......That's all..... :( I've got two kids and a beautiful wife that mean everything to me....Don't know what I'd do if something happened to them....It's just hard not get emotional....
My heart goes out to the driver in the eliminator (Lance)....He's got some rough days ahead.........
SA....

[miller19j]

All involved in this were good friends of mine, and I have many hours of boating alongside them.
This was nothing more than an accident, Lance is a very educated boater.
It just happened that all things were in place at that time for this to happen,
with no one person at fault. This could happen to anyone of us.
Alcohol was not involved nor inattention or poor boating skills, just unfourtenate timing. All involved have to live with what occured and what they saw. Everybody is shaken by this, lets not play armchair quarter back
or make judgement calls on things you did not see.
We are all for better boating rules or licenses, but just because someone is involved in an accident, does not meen they are a poor boater.
Please pray for all.
Redbuddy
'99 32' A/TRedbuddy,
I don’t think that anyone means any disrespect.
People are just trying to learn from this misfortunate situation. I think what you see here are people that are tired of reading these type of stories and are trying to get the point across that boating can be dangerous and everyone needs to stay alert and learn from things like this. This situation could have been avoided. Maybe all the talk on this thread will help to keep an accident like this from happening again in the future.
It is a terrible accident and I feel for everyone involved!

[lewiville]

very sad to hear stuff like that, and to have kids be a witness. I know that Iam Mr. Paranoid when Im out with the kids, that doesnt mean that an accedent could happen.

[OutCole'd]

This is way too sad. My condolences go out to all those involved.

[redbuddy]

I also have a 2 1/2 y/o boy and a 8 month pregant wife, and even with me being extra careful and eyes looking everywhere I have had a few close calls.
I do agree that it seems that alot of people with little to no experience are buying fast boats and have no respect for the power rules of the water.
Even with my boat being 32' and easy to see, it seems people just pay no attention as they pass right in front of me or cruise on the river going from one side to the other.
These people have been boating many years with all kinds of boats, even with all this, the worst can still happen. As soon as you feel confident in your boating skills, be weary, this is when things go bad. We can all learn, no matter how skilled you think you are.
What do you say to a man when things like this happen?
What do you say to the families?
What should we all do to insure safety in or sport?
Lets all police each other on the water, and respect it when someone tells you that you might be acting unsafe.
Please be carefull.

[Sane Asylum]

Lets all police each other on the water, and respect it when someone tells you that you might be acting unsafe.
Please be carefull.[/QUOTE]
AGREED!!!!
BTW.....What kindof 32'er do ya have......I've got an 02' 32' Sunsation Dominator.....We usually boat at pleasant but make it to the zoo occasionally.....

[redbuddy]

Lets all police each other on the water, and respect it when someone tells you that you might be acting unsafe.
Please be carefull.
AGREED!!!!
BTW.....What kindof 32'er do ya have......I've got an 02' 32' Sunsation Dominator.....We usually boat at pleasant but make it to the zoo occasionally.....[/QUOTE]
"99 32' Active thunder twin efi 500's out of the OSO Gladiator, 28 pitch labbed
Come out to the zoo we are there almost every weekend.

[Havasu_Dreamin]

Lets all police each other on the water, and respect it when someone tells you that you might be acting unsafe.
Please be carefull.
And people look at me like I'm an idiot when I am trying to tell them that the rotation on the lake is COUNTER-CLOCKWISE. When heading South on Havasu, stay to the CA side, heading North stay to the AZ side.

[Dr. Eagle]

Wow, how sad. I feel so badly for the entire family, everyone involved. HOpefully they can all find peace from this horrible accident. Lessons gained from this would include living each moment to the fullest, life can be over in a moment.
:( :( :(

[BoatPI]

"Inattention" may have claimed a life. Not good.

[Essex502]

What hasn't come out yet is whether or not another (third boat) might have distracted one of the drivers of the two boats. That almost happened to us on Saturday just south of the accident site. A pontoon boat full of sausage was driving south as we were cruising north...they were so busy trying to follow the LE boats that they came way, way too close for comfort.

[needaboat]

All involved in this were good friends of mine, and I have many hours of boating alongside them.
This was nothing more than an accident, Lance is a very educated boater.
It just happened that all things were in place at that time for this to happen,
with no one person at fault. This could happen to anyone of us.
Alcohol was not involved nor inattention or poor boating skills, just unfourtenate timing. All involved have to live with what occured and what they saw. Everybody is shaken by this, lets not play armchair quarter back
or make judgement calls on things you did not see.
We are all for better boating rules or licenses, but just because someone is involved in an accident, does not meen they are a poor boater.
Please pray for all.
Redbuddy
'99 32' A/T
Do you think you could get some information about donating to the family? Maybe they have a trust or something people could send money to. Any information you could get would be great.
Thanks a lot. We are very sorry.

[topless]

The funeral was today. The girls wore pink (was Jennifers favorite color)
About 300 people attended. My condolences to the family and friends. :(