A 79-year-old Ventnor woman was fatally struck by a boat Saturday evening as she swam near a floating dock in Atlantic City.
Jeffrey Jastrzembski, 52, of Atlantic City, was operating the 20-foot Robalo when he struck the woman swimming at 5:14 p.m., Sgt. First Class Philip Curry said.
Norma Michaels sustained fatal injuries, Curry said.
Jastrzembski stayed on the scene and did not report any injuries, according to the report.
The crash is still under investigation.
Several patrons at the nearby Wonder Bar witnessed the crash, claiming the vessel operator was driving erratically.
"I was in the restroom when the initial striking occurred but was rushed out by my wife frantically saying there was a guy acting crazy on a boat," Alan Houser told BreakingAC. "What I saw afterwards was the guy operating his vessel in a frantic manner and alot of people yelling at him, telling him to park.
"As he parked, he tossed items in the water that appeared to be cans or bottles," Houser said, adding that Jastzembski "immediately ran off of his boat and around the front of the house he parked behind."
Houser took video after the crash to have evidence, he said. But stopped recording before the man allegedly threw anything off of the vessel.
Jastzembski is listed as the registered agent for All Marine Center of Atlantic City LLC, a boat storage facility and repair shop at 1501 Albany Ave., according to records and the company's website.
The center is closed on weekends, and no one could be reached there Sunday.
Marine Service Bureau troopers were to the crash.
Atlantic City police and fire responded quickly, Houser said.
"Our guys immediately dove into the water to access the victim, who was unconscious," Fire Chief Scott Evans said.
Ladder 2 responded with two firefighters jumping in from the Wonder Bar side and one from Boulevard, he said.
There were several other neighbors that also had been in the water.
"They're out there all the time," Evans said. "You're supposed to be going slow.
"It was a horrific incident," he added. "Thoughts and prayers for the family."
