Child hurt when two boats collide; driver charged

A Naples boater faces a misdemeanor charge of failure to maintain proper lookout while navigating a 55-foot Sea Ray and smashing into a smaller boat earlier this week near Gordon Pass, according to Florida Fish and Wildlife officials Thursday.

The only injury from the collision Monday that could have resulted in multiple fatalities was to a 4-year-old child on the smaller 17-foot Aquasport, according to Officer Robert Dube, spokesman for Fish and Wildlife commission. The child had a small cut to the back of his head and was treated and released from Naples Community Hospital, Dube said. The accident occurred at 11 a.m.

“It’s amazing there were not three fatalities,” Dube said. “The Aquasport was totaled. The Sea Ray hit it port to starboard (and) just squashed it.”

Dr. Fred Buechel Sr., 999 Aqua Circle, Naples, was navigating the Sea Ray “Bone Bender” one mile west of Gordon Pass near channel marker one when he struck and ran over the smaller boat, Dube said. There were three passengers on the Sea Ray.

Naples resident Brian Ramos was at the helm of the Aquasport with his two nephews aboard. He grabbed one nephew, Rene Felix Jr., 7, and jumped overboard, Dube said. The other boy, John Felix, 4, was still on the boat when the collision occurred and sustained a cut to the back of his head. Ramos was not cited.

The Sea Ray rescued Ramos and his two nephews until Naples police arrived and brought them ashore, he said. Alcohol was not a factor in the collision. Buechel was cited with the misdemeanor which carries a fine up to $500.