Alcohol and watercraft operation is not a good mix as boaters have found out throughout time. Paul Hale III was driving a speedboat on May 29 w hen

he hit another speedboat near the Schuyler Avenue Bridge. He was found to have a blood-alcohol rate nearly three times the legal limit at the time of the accident.

On July 30, 2010, Hale pleaded not guilty to the charges from that accident. Those charges consist of reckless operation of a watercraft, illegal operation of a watercraft while under the influence of alcohol and operating a watercraft with an blood-alcohol content over .08.

The accident occurred on May 29 around midnight. Hale was found to have a blood-alcohol level that was three times the legal limit when he hit the other watercraft from behind. According to an earlier report from the Daily Journal, six people were injured in that accident.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a boating accident, contact Spiros and Wall at (815) 929-9292 to discuss your legal options.