The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) reports that 48-year-old Daniel Patrick Grubert is in custody following a jet ski collision that left two children injured on October 12, 2025 near Johns Pass.
According to authorities, the incident occurred around 2:33 p.m. when Grubert, operating a rented 2024 Yamaha WaveRunner, was reportedly racing another jet ski and failed to pay attention to his path. Realizing a collision was imminent, Grubert allegedly jumped from his jet ski, which then struck another rented WaveRunner operated by 45-year-old Walter Wodzien.
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Two passengers on Wodzien’s jet ski, aged 7 and 8, were injured after all three were ejected into the water. Both children were rescued by the Madeira Beach Fire Department and transported to a hospital. One child sustained life-threatening injuries, while the other suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Wodzien was unharmed.
PCSO noted that Grubert showed signs of impairment and performed poorly on Field Sobriety Tests. He was booked on two counts of Boating Under the Influence (BUI) Causing Serious Bodily Injury and one count of Reckless Operating of a Vessel.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities urge anyone with information to contact the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office.
This incident serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of vigilance and safety on the water, particularly when operating high-speed recreational vehicles near others.