Police: Drunk boat driver at Coralville Reservoir in accident that injured girl

Zach Berg | Press Citizen

A Cedar Rapids man was arrested Wednesday after police say he drunkenly piloted a boat at the Coralville Reservoir and left the scene of a boat accident that seriously injured an 18-year-old woman.

Jonathan Lucas Raley, 21, of Cedar Rapids was booked at the Johnson County Jail following the incident that occurred on June 24 on charges of preventing apprehension, obstructing prosecution or obstructing defense, an aggravated misdemeanor; and operating while under the influence, first offense, a serious misdemeanor.

According to a police complaint, Raley was operating a boat that was involved in an accident that caused "serious injury" of the woman. A news release from the Johnson County Sheriff's Office after the incident said that the 18-year-old was struck by a boat after she fell into the water.

Raley arrived at the marina after the accident where emergency personnel were waiting. He told U.S. Army Corps of Engineers park rangers he was going to look for the driver of the other boat involved in the accident that had already docked at the marina.

Instead, Raley allegedly told the passengers of the boat he was operating to get into his car and took them to a family member's house near the reservoir. Raley "left the scene of a possible crime without permission and concealed evidence in the form of blood alcohol levels, sobriety and drug paraphernalia of those on the vessel, including himself," according to the complaint.

When Raley returned to the marina without the boat passengers, a deputy administered a preliminary breath test that resulted with a .086 blood alcohol level, according to the police complaint. He told police he had a "pull of whiskey" while at the house.

A warrant was requested for Raley's arrest on July 27, according to online court documents.

Raley was stopped by Iowa City police while driving a vehicle at 12:24 a.m. Wednesday going northbound on Dubuque Street, heading toward Interstate 80. An officer initiated a traffic stop. The officer could smell alcohol on his breath, the police complaint said. Raley admitted to having three Black Velvet drinks, the complaint said. A test at the police station showed Raley had a .118 blood alcohol level.

Raley was booked at the Johnson County Jail about two hours later with a bond total of $6,000.

Reach Zach Berg at 319-887-5412, zberg@press-citizen.com or follow him on Twitter at @ZacharyBerg.