One person was killed and two were severely injured while the Point Pleasant Beach Grand Prix race was getting underway on Sunday, according to officials.
The boat races were canceled for the rest of the day following the crash that happened at 12:55 p.m. near Bay Head during the small boat preliminary event, according to authorities.
David Raabe, 38, the throttle man for the boat called Repeat Offender, was killed in the crash, according to the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office.
On his Facebook profile, Raabe said he was the owner/throttles at Repeat Offender Offshore Racing, lived in Lacey Township, was originally from East Brunswick and he was married. He also appeared to be an accomplished boater in the field of racing.
David Raabe (right)
The accident happened when a 2012, 26-foot Joker race boat from the "Smith Brothers," operated by Peter Smith, 50, of Riverton, and his brother, Richard Smith, 53, of Souderton, Pennsylvania, were racing around a 4.5-mile rectangular course and struck another vessel while in a turn, according to the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office.
A similar race boat called "Repeat Offender," operated by James Byrne, 35, of Nutley, and Raabe was also racing when, for an unknown reason, it crossed directly in front of the "Smith Brothers" vessel, causing the collision, according to the OCPO.
The crash occurred during the first of seven laps, while in the first turn. It also happened at the second of three water buoys, which navigate the boats through their turn.
Upon impact, both occupants on the "Smith Brothers" vessel were ejected. The vessel then sank, according to the OCPO, and it has not been recovered as of press time.
Both brothers refused medical attention, but they were transported to the Ocean Care Center where they both consented in providing a blood sample.
As a result of the crash, Raabe and Byrne were stuck by the hull of the "Smith Brothers" boat as it passed over top of them. All occupants were wearing full helmets.
Raabe sustained serious head injuries and subsequently was pronounced dead at 1:22 p.m., according to the OCPO. The other operator, Byrne, sustained serious injuries and was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center where he is listed in critical condition.
Due to injuries sustained to Byrne, a statement could not be obtained as to why the vessel turned in front of the Smith vessel. Both Smith brothers provided a taped statement at the Point Pleasant Beach Police Department.
News12 reported that people appeared somber as they heard the news while sitting on the boardwalks and the beaches. A medevac from Point Pleasant Beach High School responded to the crash.
The event is sponsored by the host club — The New Jersey Powerboat Racing Association — which has been the host club since the race began more than 40 years ago in Point Pleasant Beach.
The race course has been shortened considerably since them, from more than 200 miles to 4 miles. Roughly 35 powerboats took part in the newly revived 2016 Grand Prix. The boat races once held a place in Jersey Shore history.
Mayor Stephen Reid, who pushed to revive the event in Point Beach, has called the race a "shot in the arm" for Point Pleasant Beach businesses.
We'll have more on this as soon as it's available.
YouTube 94.3 The Point Video/photo of medevac helicopter responding.
Patch file photo
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