FATAL BOAT ACCIDENT WITH DRUNK (BOAT) DRIVER
From: New York attorney Gary E. Rosenberg (personal injury and accident attorney and lawyer; serving Brooklyn Queens Bronx1; Queens Accident Attorney)
Thirty year-old Jijo Puthuvamkunnath of Bergenfield, New Jersey was planning to marry his fiancé next month. This past Friday, July 2, 2010, he went out on a 17-foot boat with two friends to celebrate this Fourth of July weekend. They anchored by the Statue of Liberty. And had a fatal accident.
Along came Richard Aquilone, age 39, of Jersey City, New Jersey, operating a 30 foot-long boat, named "Reel Impulsive," with his wife and three children aboard. Shortly after 6:00 PM, Aquilone's boat struck the wake of a passing tourist boat, "The Shark," and became airborne. The Reel Impulsive then dropped onto the smaller boat holding Mr. Puthuvamkunnath and his friends. The force of the accident split the 17 foot-boat into two pieces, crushing part of it.
Puthuvamkunnath was trapped in the caved-in part of the smaller boat, requiring several rescue workers to free him. He was taken, along with his friends, to Liberty Landing Marina in Liberty State Park. The three were then rushed to Jersey City Medical Center. There, Puthuvamkunnath was pronounced dead from injuries to his head and brain trauma; his two friends were treated for minor injuries, including cuts and scrapes to their heads and knees, and were listed in stable condition.
Aquilone, who was drunk and failed a Breathalyzer test, was arrested and charged with manslaughter, making this accident "not really an accident."
Comment: The Coast Guard is reminding boaters to stay safe this holiday weekend. It says that
boaters should make sure there are enough life jackets for everybody on board, and that children should wear them at all times. Also, always carry a GPS, a two-way radio and a cell phone on board.
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1 BRONX COUNTY COMMUNITIES Serving Bronx neighborhoods of: Baychester, Bedford Park, Belmont, Castle Hill, City Island, Clason Point, Country Club, Eastchester, Edgewater Park, Fieldston, Fordham, Hart Island, High Bridge, Hunts Point, Kings Bridge, Longwood, Melrose, Morris Park, Morrisania, Mott Haven, Mount Eden, Mount Hope, Norwood, Olinville, Parkchester, Pelham Bay, Port Morris, Rikers Island, Riverdale, Schuylerville, Soundview, Spuyten Duyvil, Throgs Neck, Unionport, University Heights, Van Nest, Wakefield, West Farms, Westchester, Westchester Square, Williamsbridge and Woodlawn.
