Investigation Into Point Pleasant Beach Grand Prix Fatal Continues: Prosecutor's Office

POINT PLEASANT BEACH, NJ - Authorities hope to interview the driver of the "Repeat Offender" about the accident that took the life of his crew mate, a Lacey Township man in the Point Pleasant Beach Grand Prix on Sunday.

David Raabe, 38, who was at the throttle, died on the "Repeat Offender" when the powerboat "Smith Brothers" collided with his boat.

James Byrnes, the driver of "Repeat Offender," was unable to be interviewed yesterday due to his injuries. But he is now stable and recovering, said Al Della Fave, a spokesman for the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office.

There are witness interviews still to be completed and boat mechanicals will be examined, he said.

Both the "Repeat Offender" and the powerboat "Smith Brothers" were racing around the 4.5-mile rectangular course at 12:55 p.m., shortly after the race began, he said.

The Prosecutor's Office said in a statement Sunday night that the "Repeat Offender" was "at fault" after a preliminary investigation. But it's unclear why the "Repeat Offender" turned directly in front of the "Smith Brothers.

The "Smith Brothers," operated by Peter Smith, 50, Riverton, and his brother Richard Smith, 53, of Souderton, Pennsylvania, who was at the throttle, struck "Repeat Offender" while in a turn, Della Fave has said.

Both Raabe and Byrne were stuck by the hull of the "Smith Brothers" boat as it passed over the top of them. Both men were wearing full helmets. Raabe sustained serious head injuries and was pronounced dead at 1:22 p.m. Byrne suffered serious injuries and was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center.

"Repeat Offender," crossed directly in front of the "Smith Brothers" for an "unknown reason," according to the statement.

When the boats collided, both occupants on "Smith Brothers" were ejected. The vessel sank and has not yet been recovered. Both brothers refused medical attention. But they were transported to Ocean Care Center, where they each consented to a provide blood samples.

Both Smith brothers provided a taped statement at the Point Pleasant Beach Police Department, he said.

Detective Michael Proto of the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office is the accident's lead investigator. The Ocean County Sheriff Department CSI responded to the U.S. Coast Guard Station to photograph the vessel and document damage associated with the accident.

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