One man is dead and another is facing criminal charges after a Lake of the Ozarks accident last month. The accident reportedly occurred around 4 p.m. on Friday, August 16, 2013 around mile 19 on the main channel of the Osage Arm of Lake of the Ozarks.
According to reports of the accident, 22-year-old Blake Briner and 28-year-old Brett Keith, both of Chillicothe, Missouri, were riding jet skis in the area. Reports indicate that Mr. Briner was riding downstream and that Mr. Keith was also riding downstream behind him. Mr. Briner allegedly made a hard, 180-degree turn and was struck by Mr. Keith’s jet ski. He was taken to Lake Regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Mr. Keith was not reported to be seriously injured in this Lake of the Ozarks jet ski collision. However, he is allegedly facing criminal charges for boating while intoxicated.
In 2012, the most recent year for which complete statistics are available, the United States Coast Guard identified boating while intoxicated as the leading contributor in fatal boating accidents. Boating while under the influence of alcohol was a leading factor in 17% of recreational boating accident deaths last year.
The August 16 accident was the second fatal accident reported on the Lake of the Ozarks this year.
Blake Briner is survived by his children, his fiancé, his parents, his siblings, his grandparents, friends, and other relatives. Our Lake of the Ozarks boat accident lawyers extend our deepest condolences to all of Mr. Briner’s family and friends following this tragic accident.