Sea Doo Operator Dies Following Crash With Boat In Dunedin

DUNEDIN, FL — A 43-year-old man has died from injuries he sustained after crashing into a boat with his personal watercraft near the Dunedin Causeway Saturday.

Pinellas County marine deputies were called to 62 Dunedin Causeway at 11:24 a.m. Saturday.

According to deputies, 56-year-old David Steffano was operating a 28-foot Chaparral Bowrider boat east alongside the Dunedin Causeway with five passengers on board.

Steffano saw a Sea Doo personal watercraft traveling at a high rate of speed toward his boat. He thought the personal watercraft operated by 43-year-old Jose Rivera-Reyes would travel behind his boat. Instead, it struck the rear of the boat, throwing Rivera-Reyes into the water. Steffano said he immediately stopped his boat, assisted Rivera-Reyes out of the water and called 911.

Both vessels and all the occupants were brought to the closest boat ramp at343 Causeway Boulevard in Dunedin.

Paramedics and deputies responded to the boat ramp. Rivera-Reyes was taken to Mease Hospital in Dunedin with life-threatening injuries. The sheriff's office reported that he died from his injuries Monday.

No passengers on the Chaparral Bowrider were injured.

Deputies said speed appears to be a factor in the crash.