LAKE COUNTY JOURNAL
ANTIOCH – An Antioch man was killed May 23 when the Jet Ski he was driving on Lake Marie was struck by a boat, police said.
Russell J. Neeleman, 28, was driving a 2004 Yamaha Jet Ski at approximately 6:35 p.m. when his vehicle was struck by a 24-foot Azure open bow pleasure boat driven by Arkadiy Starobin, 70, of Skokie, police said.
Neeleman suffered serious injuries to his left leg and head, and was transported to Northern Illinois Medical Center in McHenry where he was pronounced dead, police said.
Starobin was traveling west on the lake between 30 and 40 mph when he began a left turn and struck Neeleman's vehicle, police said.
Lake County Sheriff's Office personnel, along with accident investigators, responded to the scene and are investigating. No charges have been filed, police said.
Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran said the incident underscores the importance of boating safety.
"This is a tragic start to the boating season. Everyone has to understand how serious boating can be," Curran said in release. "It is my hope that there are no more boating fatalities this season. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family of this young man."
The last boating fatality happened July 7, 2009, near Ingleside, Lake County Coroner Richard Keller said.