SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE, Va. -- An investigation into a fatal jet ski accident on Smith Mountain Lake determined alcohol was not a factor in the collision between the jet ski and a boat.
The investigation into what caused the Sunday evening crash was still on-going Tuesday morning, according to the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.
Gabby Ayers, 17, of Clemmons, North Carolina, was killed when the jet ski she was riding collided with a 21-ft. Key West boat.
Gabby Ayers
"The first call was 'they're doing CPR on your daughter,'" Mark Ayers told WGHP about the dreaded phone call he received Sunday. "I just fell to the ground, and I'm like this can't be happening. It's not real."
Gabby, who the passenger on the jet ski, was an avid wakeboarder and jet skier, her father said.
Gabby Ayers
Neither the driver of the jet ski, nor anyone on the boat was seriously hurt.
Game and Inland Fisheries spokesman Lee Walker told WDBJ7 that the area where the crash happened was very congested with boats and was being prepped for a July 4 fireworks show.
"We need to crack down... make it harder for just anybody to go out and drive a boat," Gabby's father said.
Charges are still pending the outcome of the investigation into Sunday's fatal crash.
