A sunny day on Lake Marie in Antioch, Ilinois turned into a nightmare on Tuesday, June 18, 2024 when a jet ski carrying two teenage girls collided with a boat, leading to the deaths of both girls. The Lake County Sheriff’s Office reported that the crash occurred around 5:15 p.m.
Sarina Vootkur, 16, from Lake Forest, California was the driver of the Yamaha WaveRunner with her passenger, 13-year-old Elle Kim from Long Grove, Illinois.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office reported that the two girls were traveling north near the Grass Lake channel, just north of the Elime Road Peninsula, when their jet ski collided with a Sea Ray Cabin Cruiser. The boat was being operated by a 55-year-old man from Antioch, Illinois. Witnesses observed the jet ski moving rapidly towards the westbound boat, which could not avoid the collision.
Although both girls were wearing life jackets, the impact knocked them unconscious and threw them into the water. The four people on the Sea Ray immediately rescued the girls, provided first aid, and called 911. Despite being taken to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville, both girls were pronounced dead shortly after their arrival.
Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the crash’s details and the victims’ identities. “It appears they went straight into the cabin cruiser. Just seems to be an accident,” Covelli told reporters. The crash remains under investigation by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit and Illinois Conservation Police.
The Lake County Coroner’s Office conducted autopsies on June 20, revealing that both girls died from blunt force injuries sustained in the collision. The jet ski was destroyed in the accident, according to witnesses.
“They were young, very young, very inexperienced,” said Randy Chmiola, a frequent boater in the area. “It’s scary because you can’t stop on water like you can on a road. It’s a reminder of how quickly things can go wrong.”
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office extended its condolences to the families and everyone affected by this event. In a statement, the sheriff’s office emphasized the importance of safety on the water and the need for vigilance to prevent such accidents in the future. “Our hearts go out to the families of Sarina and Elle. This is a loss for the community,” the statement read.