PORT NECHES, Texas — The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office is investigating after a 66-year-old powerboat driver from Ohio was killed in a wreck on the Neches River late Sunday afternoon.
The deadly wreck happened during a race at RiverFest in Port Neches. The Texas Parks and Wildlife, Port Neches PD and the U.S. Coast Guard are assisting with the investigation.
"A little before 5, there were two vessels involved, that were racing boats, that were participating in a sanctioned race that was sanctioned by the United States Coast Guard,” Texas Game Warden Ryan Hall said.
A Jefferson County Sheriff's Office boat was one of the first to respond to the scene. Crews form the U.S. Coast Guard and Texas Parks and Wildlife rushed to the crash site to help.
“There was a rescue boat that was part of the event,” Hall said. “Jefferson County sheriffs also had a boat out there that was a part of the event providing security and helped get those folks out of the water.”
Bobby Briggs was taken to a Texas hospital after the wreck and was later pronounced dead. Investigators believe his boat crashed into another boat during the F1 Powerboat Championship.
The Port Neches Police Department released a statement saying in part, “The Port Neches Police Department is saddened over the tragic loss of Powerboat Racer Bobby Briggs, and extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends and racing community.”
Another boater who was was injured in the wreck has since been released from the hospital. The wreck caused the cancelation of the final race Race Day Live reported.
The news about the deadly crash traveled fast through the tight-knit community shocking many members.
“Definitely hurting loved ones and family for sure, and something you wouldn't expect from such a small town,” Faith Leger, Port Neches resident, said. “Since they have been doing this so long, you know the boat races."
The U.S. Coast Guard was holding a safety zone for the event to keep other traffic out of the area, Petty Officer Alejandro Rivera told 12News. Rivera said the crash happened on the opposite side of the safety zone from where the Coast Guard was.
Since the event was Coast Guard sanctioned, it comes with some protection, according to Texas Parks and Wildlife. In this case, it means most likely no one will be considered to be at fault.
"It was a very tragic event,” Hall said. “I know I have watched those types of races before on TV, and they can be super dangerous. They are very fast boats. They are tunnel-like boats, very tragic event.”
Justice of the Peace Tom Gillam has ordered an autopsy.
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