In light of three boating accidents in less than one week on the Fox River, the McHenry County Sheriff's Office is asking boaters to take extra caution when out on the busy waterway this summer.
In all of the cases, no one has been seriously injured. Two of the crashes involved juveniles, and alcohol or drugs were not a factor in any of the three accidents.
"With the warmer weather, there have been an increase of watercraft on the water. Operators are encouraged to use extra caution and be watchful of others while operating on the narrow, shallow river," said Undersheriff Andrew Zinke in a McHenry County Sheriff's Office press release.
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The most recent crash happened in Algonquin near Haegers Bend Road and Arthur Road on Sunday at 4:45 p.m. and remains under investigation, according to the press release.
A separate crash occurred on Saturday near the Fox River Grove picnic grounds and in the area of 300 River Road in Fox River Grove.
In the Sunday Algonquin accident, a 33-foot Baja Outlaw, which was traveling south on the river, collided with a Kawaski Jet Ski, which was traveling north on the river.
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A 17-year-old Crystal Lake boy was operating the boat under the supervision of his father. James Hochberg, 48, of Arlington Heights was operating the Jet Ski and had passengers on the Jet Ski with him.
All of those on the Jet Ski were taken to Good Shepherd Hospital for treatment of minor injuries.
As the sheriff's office continues to investigate the Sunday crash, they are asking for anyone who saw the crash to call the McHenry Sheriff's Office Marine Unit at 815-338-2144.
Details on Crash Reported Fox River Grove
The Sheriff's Office issued a ticket to a 37-year-old Crystal Lake for careless operation and overloading following a crash that was reported at 2:05 p.m. on Saturday near the Fox River Grove picnic grounds.
In that accident, Scott R. Mattison—the Crystal Lake man—was driving a Kawasaki Personal Water Craft south on the river and pulling two juveniles on a tube behind his watercraft.
The tube struck the mirror of a 2007 Polaris Wave Runner, which was operated by Daniel Karalus, 52, of Oakwood Hills and heading south at the time of the accident.
Both of the juveniles on the tube were ejected from the tube and suffered minor injuries. They did not require futher medical treatment.
June 13 Crash in Fox River Grove
A McHenry boy was cited for careless operation after crashing his family's boat into a pier on the Fox River on June 13, according to sheriff's office officials.
The single-boat crash occurred near the east shoreline in the area of 300 River Road in Fox River Grove at 6:10 p.m., according to a McHenry County Sheriff's Department press release.
The juvenile was driving a white/red 2008 Bayliner north on the Fox River when the accident occurred. He then left the scene of the crash and was stopped by deputies who were responding to the accident.
Deputies noticed the boy was bleeding from the forehead. He was interviewed but had no memory of the crash, was cooperative and did not appear that he was fleeing the scene of the accident, according to the news release.
The boy was taken to Good Shepherd Hospital for treatment of injuries. The boat sustained damage in excess of $2,000 and was towed from the scene.
There were no signs of foul play or that alcohol or drugs were involved.
Tell Us: Do you think the Fox River is dangerous to boat on in the summer? Do you think it has been too busy lately? What do you think, if anything, needs to be done to prevent further crashes? Tell us in the comments' section.
