Contact: Michael  Globetti, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902 

Lewes man pleads guilty to charges in jet-ski accident

GEORGETOWN (Dec. 7, 2012) – Keith T. Purdy pleaded guilty Wednesday in Superior Court to reckless endangerment charges in connection with a jet-ski accident last August in which a man on a sandbar was struck and injured by Purdy’s personal watercraft as he operated it near Massey’s Landing while under the influence of alcohol.

Purdy, 57, of Lewes pled to two counts of assault by vessel in the second degree, operation of a vessel under the influence, two counts of reckless endangering in the second degree, and reckless operation of a vessel. He was sentenced to six months confinement, suspended in favor of one year supervised probation. He also was fined $575.

Jet-skis, or personal watercraft as they also are known, are subject to the same rules and requirements as any other vessel in Delaware waters, said Sgt. Gregory Rhodes of the Delaware Boating Safety Office.

Vol. 42, No. 469