Advocate against boating under the influence shares her story about almost losing her life to an impaired boater
OSAGE BEACH, Mo. (KMIZ.)
This weekend marks the start of summer, which means more people will be out on the water.
Alex Otte, the president of Mother Against Drunk Driving, shared her story Thursday, to help keep people safe more than a decade after she was almost killed by a drunk boater.
"I shattered my jaw so my face is almost entirely metal. Broke my neck, broke my collar bone, lacerated my liver, and shattered both of my femurs because when I was thrown off the jet ski I was holding on so tightly with my legs," said Otte.
Otte says the drunk driver hit her when she was only 13-years-old.
"The boat landed on top of me, the propeller landed on both of my legs. My left leg was under the water just enough that it only required stitches but my right leg was severed by the propeller," said Otte.
Now Otte shares her story to prevent tragedies from happening to others. Otte, says she's proud to be the host of a boater drinking prevention campaign known as "Know Before you Boat".
Recent data from a press release shows alcohol is listed as the leading contributing factor in 18 percent of boating deaths in 2020.
"I've seen some fatalities, based off of you know, someone driving operating a boat under the influence. People lose their lives behind stuff like this... people get hurt. I mean it's life-changing," said Ellis James, a U.S. Coast Guard commissioned officer.
James and Otte say you should plan ahead if you do decide to have a few drinks.
"Have someone that's designated to be the sober operator and make sure you get home safely," said James. "Plan ahead, don't be the reason that someone doesn't get to go home at night or they have injuries that they will truly never heal from", said Otte.
Missouri currently prohibits anyone from boating while intoxicated. If someone is caught as a first offender they could face up to 6 months in jail and owe a maximum of one thousand dollars in fines.
