MARICOPA COUNTY, Ariz. — A man is dead after a boat crash on Bartlett Lake near Tonto National Forest on Monday morning, authorities said.
The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office said 65-year-old Matthew Burlington was killed after the crash between two bass boats just north of Rattlesnake Cove.
The crash occurred around 10:45 a.m., when authorities said Burlington was driving his boat north along the west side of the lake, contrary to the traffic pattern.
The second boat was being driven by two men, who were described as 61 and 72 years old. The second boat was traveling south along the west side of the lake.
The sheriff's office said this area is marked with hazard buoy’s warning boaters of a submerged reef.
As the second boat was traveling south along the buoy line, Burlington's boat "suddenly altered its course by turning directly into boat #2’s path," the sheriff's office said.
"The operator of boat #2 was unable to make an evasive maneuver and ramped over Matthew’s boat."
All three men were thrown into the water. Both men in the second boat suffered minor injuries but were wearing personal floatation devices. Burlington sustained traumatic life-threatening injuries upon impact, authorities said.
The investigation is ongoing, but authorities said impairment was not a factor.
This is a developing situation. Stay tuned to 12 News for the latest.
