A parkgoer who was injured when a powerboat plowed onto the beach at Vancouver’s Wintler Park in May 2012 has sued the boat operator for medical bills and other damages.
Vancouver attorney Matthew Philbrook filed the lawsuit on behalf of Tyler Travis, 19, of Camas on Oct. 2 in Multnomah County, Ore. Circuit Court.
The complaint accuses boat operator Derek Dinwiddie, 36, of operating the 28-foot Nordic powerboat in “an unsafe and out-of-control manner” on May 12, 2012, causing the boat to crash onto the beach and run over Travis’ right leg.
The plaintiffs allege the impact sliced Travis’ leg flesh to the bone and broke the bone, said Tiffany Henson, Philbrook’s paralegal.
Travis asks for $12,000 for medical expenses, pain and disfigurement, plus $108,000 in non-economic damages, and attorney and legal fees, according to the complaint.
Clark County sheriff’s marine deputies cited Dinwiddie for reckless boating. Dinwiddie, of Portland, had claimed that the boat ran onto the shore because of mechanical problems, but a marine mechanic found that the boat was working properly, according to the sheriff’s office.
The accident injured Travis and another parkgoer, John Burris, and sent others scrambling for safety. Burris, 50, of Portland sued Dinwiddie more than a year ago in Multnomah County, said Burris’ Portland attorney, Todd Newlin.
Burris’ suit accuses Dinwiddie of approaching the beach at an excessive rate of speed and not stopping or maneuvering the boat to avoid the collision.
The collision injured Burris’ head, neck and back, according to his complaint. Burris asks for $27,000 in medical bills, $123,000 in noneconomic damages, and attorney and legal fees.
His suit is scheduled for trial on Nov. 12.
The park, popular with swimmers and sunbathers, is at 6500 S.E. Beach Drive, just south of state Highway 14.
