MSHP gives boat safety tips after weekend crash lands 8 in hospital

LAKE OF THE OZARKS, Mo. (KMIZ)

Seven out of the eight people involved in this weekend's boat crash at the Lake of the Ozark have been treated and released, according to Lake Regional Hospital officials.

A hospital spokesperson said those who were released could have been sent home or transferred to another healthcare facility. Matthew Hillyer, 51, is in fair condition at Lake Regional Hospital.

All eight passengers were sent to Lake Regional Hospital after a boat crashed into a house Saturday night, with six being considered seriously hurt and two with moderate injuries. The crash report says the boat was totaled. 

Missouri State Highway Patrol Cpl. Kyle Green said boating rules are very similar to driving rules.

“In terms of making sure that you have somebody who’s operating the boat that isn’t impaired by drugs or alcohol would obviously be very helpful in avoiding these crashes,” Green said.

Adam Ramirez, 47, —who was driving the boat— was arrested on accusations of boating while intoxicated. Investigators are waiting until he is cleared from the hospital to look into the crash further. 

Green also noted those on boats need to be more conscious at night.

“You have to be more careful, “ he said. “In terms of being more observant with land points and other boats that are out there. So just like driving a car, you know, it’s more difficult to see at night and it’s the same way on a boat. You have to be more cautious."

Green also stated the importance of speed control, wearing a life jacket and having an emergency plan if something goes wrong

MSHP reported that none of the passengers on the boat were wearing life jackets when the crash happened at the 1.3 mile mark of the Osage Arm and the 400 block of Big Bear Drive. 

Lake Ozark Fire Protection District Deputy Chief David Woodward also emphasized similar safety tips to be more responsible on the water.

"Everybody on that boat needs to have a life jacket on, whether they think its cool or not and the boat pilot has got to be sober,” he said. “You really need to be take a responsible role for your family or whoever you’re going to be out with."

The Fire Protection District said boat accidents are not uncommon in the summer with the large amount of tourists who flock to the lake.

There have been 15 boating incidents and four drowning incidents at the Lake of the Ozarks this year, according to the MSHP.