Boating Accident Tragic for Young Woman

An unusual boating accident took the life of a young woman last week. What is unusual is that the boating accident did not take place on the water, but on dry land.

According to reports, the crash occurred on Carolina Way just before 10 p.m. Anthony Pantano, 30, of Sanford, was driving a Dodge truck while towing a boat. There were several people aboard the boat while it was being pulled behind the truck.

Pantano drove off of the road to the left, struck a ditch, and Allison Bennett, 20, of Fort Bragg, was thrown from the vessel. Bennett landed between the boat and the truck and was subsequently run over.

Even though Pantano was driving only 10 mph at the time of the crash, it was enough to kill Bennett on the scene. Pantano left the scene of the crash. No charges have been filed to date.

If you need to tow a boat for whatever reason, officials urge that you tow the boat correctly. Here are tips for doing just that.

Weight

Distribute the weight of the boat evenly, both side to side and lengthwise. You may need to move equipment and supplies to accomplish this.

Overloading

Do not overload the hitch. Your vehicle and the boat should be as parallel to the ground as possible. The weight on the tongue should only be 10% of the entire weight of the boat and trailer.

Straps

Secure the boat to the trailer with straps. Ratchet straps and winch straps should both be utilized to keep the boat secure.

Driving

Keep in mind that the trailer and boat add weight to your vehicle. You will need to apply your brakes sooner and more evenly. Going around curves and corners requires you to drive at lower speeds.

Lights

All of your lights should be in operating order. Check to be sure that your vehicle’s lights and the lights on your trailer are working properly. Keep lights on when you are driving, no matter the time of day or night.

Check the Trailer

A good rule of thumb is to stop after 1, 10, and 100 miles to check the straps on your trailer. Straps become loose and checking them can keep you and others safe.

Passengers

There should never be any person or animal on the boat as it is being towed. As in the case above, unfortunate accidents can happen, severely impacting the people that you love.

If you have been injured in a boating accident, contact our personal injury attorneys now. We are here to help you get the compensation you may deserve. Call now.