Boat Ejects Drunken Pilot While Smashing Into Dock

By  //  December 5, 2012

Child Aboard Vessel Not Injured In Crash

BREVARD COUNTY • INDIAN HARBOUR BEACH, FLORIDA – A drunken man was arrested by Indian Harbour Beach police Monday when the boat he was riding in smashed into a dock and ejected him into the Grand Canal.

John Burns of Satellite Beach was arrested Monday in Indian Harbour Beach when his boat smashed into a dock, ejected him and then crashed into the back yard of a residence. He was charged with boating under the Influence, BUI w/property damage, child abuse and a probation violation. (Image courtesy Brevard County Sheriff’s Department)

Commander Mark Rowley of the Indian Harbour Beach Police Department said John Burns of 459 Montecito Road in Satellite Beach, 37, was recklessly piloting a boat about 5:52 p.m. Monday when he struck a dock along the west side of the waterway.

Rowley said Burns was thrown from the boat into the canal upon impact with the dock and the boat turned easterly, crossing the canal, smashing into some mango trees and running into the back yard of a home at 128 Island View Drive in Indian Harbour Beach.

The boat stopped just short of striking a screened-in pool enclosure at the residence.

Officers found the 4-year-old daughter of Burns inside the boat who was wearing a life vest and was not injured.

“Upon making contact with Mr. Burns, who swam out of the canal, officers could smell an odor of an alcoholic beverage and determined that Mr. Burns was intoxicated,” Rowley said.

Burns was arrested for Boating under the Influence, BUI w/property damage, child abuse and a probation violation and transported to the Brevard County Jail.

An estimate of damages to the dock and residence is still being complied.