BALDWIN, N.Y. (1010 WINS) — A Long Island boater was arraigned on manslaughter and other charges on Thursday after fatally striking an 18-year-old jet skier in 2019, prosecutors announced.
Christopher Palma, 48, was charged with second-degree manslaughter, second-degree assault, criminally negligent homicide and reckless operation of a vessel in the death of Caitlin McDonald near Baldwin.
Palma pleaded not guilty, and bail was set at $20,000 bond or cash or $10,000 partially secured bond.
"This defendant allegedly failed to heed navigation rules, recklessly sped toward a line of jet skiers and careened into the jet ski of 18-year-old Caitlin McDonald, killing her," said Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly.
On the morning of July 14, 2019, McDonald and others, including her father, were on a jet ski tour in the vicinity of Middle Bay Channel, near Parsonage Cove and Baldwin Harbor.
The skis were traveling in a single file line perpendicular to the path of Palma’s vessel, a Fountain Lightning speed boat.
Palma, who prosecutors say is an experienced boater, was operating his vessel at a high rate of speed at that time, despite the presence of boat traffic and multiple jet skiers. However, he allegedly maintained course, did not stop, and the vessels collided.
The impact caused McDonald to be thrown into the water with grave injuries. She was later pronounced dead at Long Beach Hospital.
Palma is due back in court on Jan. 31. If convicted of the top count, he faces a potential maximum of five to 15 years in prison.
Related
Related
Related
