Posted December 21, 2009

By UPI.com

Published on August 13, 2009 by Grand Haven Tribune

A Grand Haven man has been charged with two crimes related to a July boating accident that left a Fruitport man dead.

Victor Gouveia was arraigned in 58th District Court in Grand Haven this morning on charges of operating under the influence, causing the death of 53-year-old Edward Albert Johnson; and operating under the influence, causing injury to 48-year-old Barbara Briggs — said Sgt. Keith Koeman of the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Department Marine Unit.

Gouveia, 24, demanded a preliminary examination and was released on a $5,000 personal recognizance bond, a court official said.

Operating under the influence causing death carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a fine of $10,000, and operating under the influence causing injury carries a maximum of five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

The charges stem from a July 11 boating accident on the Grand River. Police said Gouveia was operating a 28-foot Baja speedboat on the river at around 9:45 p.m. near 15790 Leonard Road in Spring Lake Township. Police said they believe Gouveia overcorrected after entering the wake of another boat and turned into the path of a 19-foot Wellcraft boat driven by Johnson, which was headed in the opposite direction.

Both Johnson and Gouveia took evasive action, police said, but the boats sideswiped.

Johnson and Briggs were thrown from the Wellcraft.

Briggs was seriously injured, but police said she was able to hold onto the wreckage of the partially submerged Wellcraft until another boat picked her up. She was later taken to Hackley Hospital in Muskegon.

Passengers aboard the Baja jumped into the river in an attempt to rescue Johnson, police said, but were unable to locate him. Dive teams and a Coast Guard helicopter searched for about four hours that night.

Johnson’s body was eventually recovered at around 3:30 p.m. July 12 — about 17 hours after the boat crash.

Gouveia was jailed immediately following the incident after police determined alcohol had played a factor in the crash, but he was released the next day pending the results of a blood-alcohol test.

            As I sit and write this, it is nearly 80° outside.  Summer is quickly approaching.  It is days like this when most people would like to head for the nearest lake or ocean.  If you are fortunate enough to own a boat, you are familiar with the enjoyment watercraft can bring.  But do you know the hazards?

            The U. S. Coast Guard says that there were 710 deaths related to boating accidents in 2006.  Of those, 29 were children 12 years of age or younger.  The number of  injuries are in the thousands.  The Coast Guard lists the main contributing factors to boating accidents as being: operator inattention, careless or reckless operation, excessive speed, passenger or skier behavior, no proper lookout, operator inexperience and alcohol usage. 

            If you or a loved one has been injured in a boating accident, you need the advice of an attorney specializing in Maritime Law.    Who will pay for your medical expenses or lost wages?  Are you entitled to compensation for pain and suffering?  You need answers to your questions and you need them now.

            Our firm has been representing accident victims for over 25 years.  During that time, I have had the privilege of working with some of the best Maritime Attorneys around.  If you are in need of an attorney regarding a boating accident, I invite you to visit my website at www.dreamlegalteam.com.  You can fill out an online consultation form or engage in an online chat.  Again, the website is www.dreamlegalteam.com.  Don’t wait. 

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