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Suspected intoxicated boat captain arrested for going 73 mph in no wake zone, killing jet skier

Posted at 9:05 AM, Sep 11, 2019
and last updated 2019-09-11 09:38:25-04

PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — A Madeira Beach boat captain is behind bars for allegedly boating under the influence and striking and killing a man on a personal watercraft.

Jesse Mayer, 35, was arrested from his attorney’s office on Monday for operating a 37 foot boat going 73 miles per hour in the Intracoastal Waterway, according to deputies.

The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office said the crash happened Friday, August 30 killing 56-year-old Robert Krysztofowicz.

Deputies say Mayer’s vessel was traveling at the high rate of speed through a slow wake zone before striking the rear of the Jet Ski operated by Krysztofowicz.

After striking the jet ski, Mayer’s vessel then traveled over the Jet Ski and the victim from New York.

According to an arrest report, Mayer had signs of impairment and an alcohol concentration .102 BAC, almost three hours after the crash.

The sheriff's office also says there was a nine-year-old girl on the boat at the time of the crash.

Mayer faces BUI Manslaughter, Vessel Homicide, Child Neglect, Reckless Operation of a Vessel, and Violation of Navigation Rules.