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Duke WR charged in jet ski accident

Jul 17, 2012

Duke wide receiver Jamison Crowder has been charged in a July 4 jet ski accident on Lake Tillery that left teammate Blair Holliday in critical condition, according to a statement from the North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission.

According to the statement, Crowder was issued a citation by the Montgomery County district attorney’s office on July 11 for “not complying with state boating safety education requirements” after he collided with the left side of Holliday’s personal watercraft. The charge requires a court appearance but does not carry a penalty if the person in violation completes the required free course and presents a certificate of such. More Info     More Duke Stories

“It is my understanding that he planned to take the course,” said Geoff Cantrell of the NCWRC. “He will appear and show he has completed the course and the charge will be waived.”

As of Tuesday, Crowder, a Monroe, N.C. native, was not listed in the North Carolina Court System database.

North Carolina state law requires any person under the age of 26 complete a boating safety education course in order to operate a watercraft of 10 horsepower or greater on public waters. The course is free and offered across the state by the NCWRC as well as the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and U.S. Power Squadron.

An investigation into the accident revealed that at approximately 5 p.m. on July 4, Crowder collided with the left side of Holliday’s jet ski resulting in head injuries. Holliday was aided by witnesses at the scene, along with Wildlife Officer Brandon Garrison, until medical attention arrived to take him to Stanly Regional Hospital in Albemarle, N.C., before being transported to the Intensive Care Unit at UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill.

Crowder refused treatment at the scene.

The complete accident report has yet to be made available.

No updates on Holliday’s condition have been released since July 9, when he was still listed as critical. The following day, his family released a statement thanking everyone for their support and “to thank everyone for respecting our privacy as it pertains to his condition."

Holliday, a Sherman Oaks, Calif., native, appeared in 10 games for Duke last season as a freshman and was slated to start for the team in 2012. He has three career catches for 30 yards and was named the co-most improved offensive player in spring drills.

• Web Editor: Aaron Schoonmaker