Commissioner's wife killed in boating accident
The wife of Highlands County Commissioner Jeff Carlson died Sunday from injuries suffered in a boating accident in Indian River County.
Jeff Carlson was reportedly driving the boat.
County Commission Chairman Don Bates expressed his sadness over the entire affair, and stressed that many in the community would be there if needed.
"We are very saddened by this turn of events. Our hearts and our prayers go out to Jeff and his family. This is a tragic event, one that stricken the whole county. We have all offered via e-mail to assist in anyway we could," Bates said Tuesday.
Julie Carlson, 39, was injured when the 22-foot Proline Center Console boat she was riding in glanced a piling on the Indian River, according to reports from Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).
Julie Carlson hit either the piling or a sign attached to it, according to reports, but she was not thrown from the boat, which immediately returned to the dock for help.
She was airlifted to Melbourne Hospital Saturday evening with severe injuries to her head, and then died from those injuries on Sunday at Holmes Regional Medical Center.
TCPalm.com stated that the Carlsons, along with Scott and Annie Noethlich, had pulled into Captain Hiram's Resort in Sebastian earlier Saturday evening. Soctt Noethlich, the Sebring city administrator, is Julie Carlson's brother.
The group left the dock sometime after 10 p.m., and investigators reported the boat accelerated on plane before striking the piling about 100 yards east of the dock.
TCPalm.com reported that there was evidence of alcohol in the vessel, which was confirmed by the FWC on Monday.
FWC Public Information Officer Lenny Salbert stated that blood samples were taken from the Carlsons and were being tested for alcohol levels.
"There was evidence of alcohol in the boat; cans and bottles in the boat," Joy Hill, spokeswoman for FWC was reported as stating.
Salbert also stated that Jeff Carlson could be charged with vessel homicide.
"We took the samples because probable cause existed. At this time, Jeff has not been detained," Salbert said. "We are still doing our initial 24-hour report, and not much is available right now."
According to Salbert, an autopsy will determine the cause of death and the accident remains under investigation.
Gary Morse, the Southwest Region Public Information Officer for the FWC, the area that covers Highlands County, told the News-Sun on Tuesday that no charges were currently filed, and that the process may take months
"We are not through with our investigation," Morse said. "We have to get the results from the ME (medical examiner) and the blood tests back and interview all of the witnesses before we can decide if charges will be filed," Morse said. "I would not expect anything immediately."
