Fatal boat crash launched woman into trees and threw man into water, Florida cops say

A body pulled from trees was among two discovered after a 21-foot boat crashed near southwest Florida’s Little Hickory Bay, according to investigators.

It happened around 3 p.m. Friday, March 15, not far from North Naples, about a 160-mile drive south from Tampa, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said in a news release.

“The vessel, carrying two occupants, was traveling north, passing red channel marker 14, when it’s starboard side ran into the mangrove trees, ejecting both passengers,” FWC officials said.

“The unmanned vessel remained in gear until it crashed into the mangrove shoreline, coming to a stop.”

Judy Eaton, 71, of Bonita Springs “was recovered from the mangrove trees where she was pronounced deceased,” officials said.

John Moulder, 71, of Naples, was airlifted by EMS to Gulf Coast Medical Center in Ft. Myers, “where he later died from his injuries,” officials said.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation, but alcohol may have been a factor, investigators said in the report.

Boaters who use the area regularly told WBBH the couple died at a turn known to be dangerous, but signs marking the hazard vanished during Hurricane Ian, which struck southwest Florida in September 2022.

“Sadly, I was not surprised,” boater Kevin Price told the station. “I had a conversation with another friend recently about this turn specifically, and some of the close calls I’ve seen at this spot.”

This story was originally published March 18, 2024 at 1:18 PM with the headline "Fatal boat crash launched woman into trees and threw man into water, Florida cops say."