Boating Crash Injures Sarasota Woman

A 25-year-old Sarasota woman piloting a personal watercraft suffered serious injuries to her head and face Saturday, when she collided with another personal watercraft driven by her 49-year-old boyfriend, also from Sarasota.

Investigators say the couple was traveling at a high rate of speed north of John's Pass Bridge, off Madeira Beach. Alcohol does not appear to be a facctor.

Deputies responded at about 2:27 p.m. to 13070 Gulf Boulevard in Madeira Beach. Investigators said that 25-year-old Lauren Bell and her boyfriend, 49-year-old John Geletka had rented the perosnal watercraft.

Each was piloting watercraft north of John's Pass Bridge, along Madeira Beach.

Deputies say at one point Bell headed south, and Geletka followed. Both were
traveling at a high rate of speed, with Geletka trailing behind about 20 yards.

According to deputies, Bell made an abrupt 180-degree turn. Geletka was unable to avoid collision, impacting Bell's watercraft head-on.

Deputies say Geletka's personal watercraft traveled over the top of Bell's, impacting her head and face and ejecting her from the personal watercraft.

Deputies say Geletka turned back for Bell, got her out of the water, was able
to put her on his personal watercraft and began yelling for help as he
transported her back to shore.

Bell was transported by air to Bayfront Medical Center for treatment of
serious injuries to the head and face. Deputies say the injuries are non-life
threatening.