Florida Jet Ski Crash: Drunk New York Man on “Twisted Tea” Leaps Off WaveRunner, Injures Two Kids Near Madeira Beach

MADEIRA BEACH, FLORIDA – A 48-year-old New York man is facing serious charges after allegedly jumping off a speeding WaveRunner while drunk, sending the unmanned jet ski crashing into another watercraft and injuring two children, authorities said.

“He Admitted to Drinking a Twisted Tea”

According to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, the crash happened around 2:30 p.m. Sunday near John’s Pass, a popular boating area off Madeira Beach.

The suspect, identified as Daniel Grubert of Piermont, New York, was racing another friend when he leapt off his rented 2024 Yamaha WaveRunner, causing it to slam into another jet ski driven by 45-year-old Walter Wodzien, who had two kids—ages 7 and 8—riding with him.

“Grubert was racing another jet ski, wasn’t looking ahead, and took his eyes off his direction of travel,” deputies said. “He turned around, realized a crash was about to occur, and jumped off the WaveRunner.”

Both children were thrown into the water, with one suffering life-threatening injuries and a near drowning, and the other sustaining non-life-threatening injuries.

Grubert later told police he had consumed “just one Twisted Tea” before the accident, according to an arrest affidavit.

Signs of Impairment and Arrest

Investigators from the Pinellas County Marine Unit and Major Accident Investigation Team said Grubert displayed clear signs of intoxication, including red eyes, slurred speech, and the odor of alcohol.

He also failed field sobriety tests and was arrested at the scene. Grubert faces:

• Two counts of BUI causing serious bodily injury
• One count of reckless operation of a vessel

He remained in custody at the Pinellas County Jail as of Monday afternoon.

“This could have easily been a double tragedy,” one investigator told reporters. “He abandoned a moving watercraft while intoxicated — that’s beyond reckless.”

One Child Still Recovering

The Madeira Beach Fire Department rescued all victims from the water. Officials say the 7-year-old who nearly drowned is still recovering at a local hospital.

The crash has reignited discussions about boating under the influence in Florida, where the state leads the nation in boating-related injuries each year.

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