Woman arrested in Lake Maitland boat crash

Boat registered to Florida state Sen. David Simmons

MAITLAND, Fla. – A woman was arrested Tuesday after a boat registered to Florida state Sen. David Simmons crashed into a dock on Lake Maitland, sending his 18-year-old daughter and two others to the hospital as trauma-alert patients, officials said.

Maitland police arrested Krystyna Vitiello, 45, whom Simmons identified as his daughter's aunt, on charges of boating under the influence. She bonded out of jail on Tuesday afternoon.

Simmons was not aboard the boat, a 22-foot SeaDoo, which he said was taken Monday night without his permission. Simmons told News 6 that he's not aware of Vitiello ever taking the boat out previously.

Simmons told News 6 that his daughter, Alicia Simmons, suffered a broken femur and underwent surgery. Officials have not released the conditions of the other two victims, identified as Porter McGuer and Jorge Rodriguez.

The crash was reported by a homeowner in an upscale neighborhood off Summerland Avenue who said he heard the crash just after midnight.

Maitland firefighters told News 6 that one adult and seven others, including several teens, were on the boat when it crashed.

Officials said it's likely that the boat was traveling at a high rate of speed.

"The boat crashed into the dock, so it's mostly out of the water, and it's pretty much stuck on the back dock right now," a fire official said.

Firefighters said three people taken to the hospital, and three others refused treatment at the scene. 

Firefighters said some of the victims had to be extricated from the boat after the impact with the dock. 

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is investigating.

Simmons, a Republican, represents the 10th District, which covers Seminole County and parts of Volusia County. He said the boat is registered to a company that he owns and is stored at his home off Lake Maitland, but added that he hasn't been to the property in about four months.

Stay with News 6 and ClickOrlando.com for updates on this developing story. 

 


About the Authors:

John Ambrogne is an executive producer for News 6 and has been with WKMG-TV since 2012. John graduated with a degree in broadcast journalism from Syracuse University and has covered breaking news and major events in Central Florida since 2002.

Mark Lehman became a News 6 reporter in July 2014, but he's been a Central Florida journalist and part of the News 6 team for much longer. While most people are fast asleep in their bed, Mark starts his day overnight by searching for news on the streets of Central Florida.

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