The sheriff is investigating after a woman was left hospitalized following a crash involving her jet ski and a boat on Nippersink Lake in Fox Lake Sunday evening.
The Fox Lake Fire Protection District and Lake County Sheriff’s Office responded around 5:40 p.m. Sunday to Nippersink Lake for a report of a water rescue call.
Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli said the sheriff’s Marine Unit responded to the boat crash with injuries, which occurred near Riverside Island.
Deputies arrived and learned a boat, operated by a 30-year-old man, was traveling southbound on Nippersink Lake approaching a “no wake” area.
A jet ski, operated by a 20-year-old woman, was also traveling southbound, parallel to the boat’s starboard side.
Covelli said it appears the operator of the jet ski attempted to overtake the boat.
She turned the jet ski sharply left in front of the boat and struck the boat.
The operator of the jet ski suffered non-life-threatening injuries, Covelli said.
She was transported by the sheriff’s office Marine Unit to an awaiting ambulance near the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Marine Base.
Covelli said the jet ski was a rental and it is unknown yet how much experience the operator had with jet skis. Alcohol does not appear to be a factor.
“The Marine Unit has been out and responding to calls for service as well as conducting proactive patrols,” Covelli added.