Boat operator under investigation after deadly jet ski crash near Captiva Pass

A 17-year-old girl died in a jet ski and boat collision near Captiva last August, and the boat operator is now under investigation for potential boating rule violations. The crash occurred when two people on a jet ski collided with a boat. One of the jet ski riders, 17-year-old Shylah Desamours, lost her life in the incident. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission report, the other occupant on the jet ski survived, but was seriously injured. Witnesses on the boat told investigators that the jet ski crossed in front of them at high speed. The operator of the boat, Jonathan Steinke, is now under investigation by FWC for a possible violation of boating rules, according to a state executive order filed on Aug. 4. The report states that the 27-foot boat Steinke was operating had four people on board and launched from Rosen Park in Cape Coral the morning of Aug. 30, 2025, and traveled to North Captiva. Later, the vessel went north along Cayo Costa before turning south. At approximately 3:38 p.m., the boat passed through Captiva Pass and entered Pine Island Sound, and Steinke said he was following a familiar route he traveled hundreds of times, according to the report. Around the same time, the jet ski involved in the crash was heading through Pine Island Sound when both vessels approached one another on crossing courses in open water. According to the report, conditions were partly cloudy, with moderate wind, and no traffic congestion or physical obstruction that would have prevented either vessel from being seen. FWC states that Steinke said he looked over his shoulder toward the port stern to check for traffic right before impact. According to the report, Steinke said he heard and felt the collision as he turned back, but he did not report that he saw the jet ski before the impact. According to the report, Steinke's boat was traveling at 45.3 mph at the moment of impact, but the jet ski's engine module didn't preserve useful speed or throttle-history information. At approximately 3:41 p.m., the boat struck the left side of the jet ski, and the bow and keel of the boat partially climbed over the jet ski, and the two teens onboard the jet ski were ejected into the water. Passengers on the boat tried to render aid to both teens after the collision. According to the report, investigators found alcoholic beverages in a cooler aboard the boat, but responding officers who interacted with Steinke reported that he displayed no signs of impairment, noting that he had normal speech, balance, movements, eyes, demeanor, and responses, with no odor of alcohol. Witnesses told investigators that the jet ski crossed into the boat's path. However, investigators determined that two factors led to the crash: Steinke's failure to maintain a proper lookout and failure to give way in a crossing situation. FWC said those navigation-rule violations directly caused the collision. According to FWC, Steinke is facing second-degree misdemeanor offenses because the navigation violations caused Desamours' death and the other teen's serious injuries. DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment, and original programming on your TV.