
What was supposed to be a fun and relaxing day on the water for two families turned into a horrifying nightmare this week when a jet ski watercraft collided with a motorboat on Puddingstone Reservoir in San Dimas, CA. According to an article from NBC San Diego, three women were riding on the jet ski when the collision occurred. 34-year-old Maricon Abello, her mother Aurora Yeso, and her cousin Anesia Bautista were all killed instantly upon impact. Four people from the other boat involved in the crash were injured in the collision, as well; but the severity of those injuries was not immediately reported.
The cause of the San Diego boat crash is still under investigation, but the severity of the crash makes it appear that speed may have been a factor. The scene on the water in the immediate aftermath was chaotic, with debris from the two boats strewn all over the place. There has been some speculation, based on witness statements, that the two boats may have collided as a result of one or both of them losing control while trying to navigate a turn; but that is, at this time, just a theory. There were no applicable boat speed limits in that area, but watercraft operators at Puddingstone Reservoir are required to maintain a minimum distance of 25 feet from other boats. Hopefully, with time, investigators will be able to put the story of what really happened together and figure out how to prevent similar accidents from occurring in the future.
Because of San Diego’s temperate climate and its proximity to the ocean and to other bodies of water like Puddingstone Reservoir, San Diego boating accidents are all too real a concern for those who live in this area or who vacation here. When something like this happens, there are no easy answers, especially when the cause of the incident is unclear. As the families of the victims try to pick up the pieces after this tragedy, they will rely on investigators to determine what happened and what ultimately caused this crash. Knowing why it happened can help bring closure to the families, and it can also help determine whether this was a nightmare that could have been avoided.
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