UPDATE-Tameka Raymond, ex-husband and Kyle’s father Ryan Glover, Usher Raymond and other close family has to deal with a double tragedy as a family friend was named and is being investigated in the accident that has left Kyle (Kile) brain dead.
WSB-TV reported that the Waverunner was rented Friday from Aqua Sports Adventures on Lanier Islands Parkway. Owner Curtis Frampton told the station that he was upset on hearing the news of the collision that left Kyle Glover, 11, in critical condition in an Atlanta hospital.
Jeffrey S. Hubbard, a “friend of the family,” has been identified as the man who rented the watercraft.
No charges have been filed in this incident.
According to the Department of Natural Resources incident report cited by MTV.com, Hubbard was operating the watercraft on Lake Lanier when he ran over two juveniles being towed on an inner tube by another boat at approximately 3:25 p.m. ET on Friday.
A 15 year old girl with Glover reportedly suffered a cut on the head and a broken arm from the collision. She also was hospitalized.
Sgt Mike Burgamy who witnessed the accident recalled,
“Basically, a pontoon was pulling two juveniles on an inner tube, and the watercraft ran over the top of them.
Two rangers witnessed the accident, but alcohol is not thought to be a factor and the investigators are not under the belief that it could have been a mechanical malfunction.
According to reports, the girl’s face was under the water when she was rescued while the boy’s face was not under the water, so ‘partial drowning’ is not thought to be a factor in his injuries.
“One minute the jet ski was running around, the next he ran over the top of them. It happened that quickly,” Burgamy added. “It appears the watercraft did strike both juveniles, with the male taking the brunt of the force.”
“I take it very personally,” Frampton said. “Anytime any accident like this happens, I feel bad for the families.”
Frampton noted that he requires a safety course for people renting any craft from his business. However, such a course is not mandatory under Georgia law.
A boating industry executive notes that Georgia does not have boating regulations that are on the books in Alabama, Florida and the Carolinas.
“A lot of people just don’t know the rules of the road, to be very simple,” said Scott Cunningham of the Metro Atlanta Marine Trade Association.
Tameka Raymond remains by the side of her son while Usher reportedly provides support however he can.
We continue to hope that Kyle and the young lady pulls through. Unfortunately, the incident involving Usher’s former stepson is the latest of several recent accidents on the lake to cause death or serious injury.
We truly hope this was an accident and not the family friend being reckless.
