Crime

Oceanside man indicted for fatal high-speed boating collision

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Christopher Palma pled not guilty Thursday to manslaughter and other charges he recklessly operated a speedboat, killing a Jet Ski rider, Caitlin McDonald.

The 48-year-old Oceanside man was arraigned before Judge Robert Bogle for manslaughter, assault, criminally negligent homicide and reckless operation of a vessel over the July 2019 accident that took the life of the 18-year-old McDonald, who was part of a group of Jet Skiers at Middle Bay Channel, near Parsonage Cove and Baldwin Harbor.

The Jet Skis, according to Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly, were traveling in a single-file line perpendicular to the path of Palma’s Fountain Lightning speedboat.

Palma “failed to heed navigation rules,” Donnelly said, in a release, and “recklessly sped toward a line of Jet Skiers.”

Palma “failed to heed navigation rules,” Donnelly said, in a release, and “recklessly sped toward a line of Jet Skiers.”

Palma was allegedly operating at an accelerated speed despite the presence of boating traffic and multiple Jet Ski tourists, Donnelly added..

Several of the Jet Skis crossed Palma’s path, the district attorney said. Under navigation rules, he was required to slow down and yield the right of way to McDonald, who approached from the starboard side of his boat.

Palma, however, maintained course and did not stop, Donnelly said, ultimately colliding with McDonald. 

McDonald’s father and other nearby boaters rushed to her aid, but neither they nor first responders were able to help the young Rockville Centre woman. She was later pronounced dead at Long Beach Hospital.

Palma first faced a grand jury in March 2020, but Bogle tossed that indictment in 2021, but Donnelly re-filed it soon after.

This time around, Bogle set Palma’s bail at $20,000, and told him he’s due back in court at the end of next month. If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison for manslaughter alone, the district attorney said.