MAPLETON – A 51-year-old Waterloo man is facing several criminal charges following a personal watercraft collision at Conestogo Lake.
Wellington County OPP, along with local emergency medical services, fire services, the OPP Marine Unit and OPP Aviation Services, responded to a reported single-watercraft collision in Mapleton Township at around 5 p.m. on Saturday.
Police say the driver of the personal watercraft fled the scene before officers arrived. A search of the area was conducted, and the driver was located nearby.
According to police, officers observed signs of impairment during their investigation.
The driver was arrested and taken to a local hospital with minor injuries. A passenger on the personal watercraft was also transported to hospital before being airlifted to a trauma centre with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
As a result of the investigation, a 51-year-old from Waterloo has been charged with:
- Operation while impaired — blood alcohol concentration of 80-plus
- Dangerous operation causing bodily harm
- Operation causing bodily harm
- Failing to stop at an accident resulting in bodily harm
The individual was released from police custody and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Guelph in October.
The Wellington County OPP is reminding watercraft operators to follow water safety regulations and operate their vessels responsibly.
Police are also stressing that boating while impaired can put the operator, swimmers and others enjoying the water at significant risk.
The OPP is thanking members of the public who reported the incident for their assistance.
Anyone with an urgent traffic complaint, or anyone who suspects someone is driving or operating a boat while impaired by drugs or alcohol, is asked to call 911 immediately.
