Seattle Sailor Dies in Tragic Nighttime Collision

In a case painfully reminiscent of the Lynn Thornton tragedy on Clear Lake, a 37-year-old female sailor was killed Saturday evening after being struck by a speeding powerboat on Seattle’s Lake Washington. Both incidents occured in the dark of night.

According to eyewitnesses, the small speedboat, which was operated by a 17-year-old boy and his 16-year-old girlfriend, struck the anchored Lisa B. sailboat — estimated to be 23 feet in length — from astern, and rode up over it, launching the victim, Middle School music teacher Heather DeHart, into the water. Once brought ashore, she was pronounced dead.

The speedboat driver, whose name has not been disclosed, was treated for minor injuries and released. Thus far, he has not been charged with any crime, pending a police investigation.

It is bitterly ironic that a brand new Washington State law now requires all boaters between the ages of 12 and 20 to take a one-time basic boating safety class and earn a Boating Safety Education Card. It is unclear whether or not the speedboat’s driver had completed the course.