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| Posse Catches Hit-and-Runner in Florida |
 The tranquil waters of the Alafia River turned less than amicable the day after Christmas.
As Bud Hunt, a 41 year old former mayor of the Riverside community, rested on his porch that afternoon he thought ahead to that evening when he and his wife would dine and exchange gifts with a couple down the river. His boat, a 2007 Sea Ray 290 Sundancer, sat moored at the dock, ready for a short evening cruise.
Hunt's daydreaming ceased when his eye caught a 16-foot Carolina Skiff heading toward the riverbank at 20 mph. The boat, carrying two men and three children, lost control and struck Hunt's Sea Ray's port outdrive.
"They should have just stayed and gone into the rocks," Hunt told the Tampa Times.
After running down the dock to check the safety of the Carolina's passengers, Hunt's concern was not only ignored but the accident was abandoned by its perpetrators.
Livid, Hunt boarded his Sea-Doo PWC to pursue the hit and runners, while his wife Sandi and a nearby neighbor dialed 911.
David Crannell, age 60, had never met the Hunts before, but heard the collision and took off on his 17-foot Mako to join the chase.
Despite pleas from both men, the guilty party refused to stop and made threats as they pitched beer bottles, empty and full, off of the side of their boat.
Soundings magazine reported that one belligerent man said, "Get off the jet ski and we'll beat your ass," after challenging Hunt and Crannell to a fight.
The chase concluded at E.H. Williams Park, where Wildlife Commission officers were waiting for the skiff. When questioned by authorities, one occupant of the Carolina blamed his 11-year-old son, whom he said was driving the boat at the time of the accident. Hunt reported witnessing an adult behind the wheel.
Damages to Hunt's Sea Ray were estimated at about $15,000. A cracked transom plate and steering pin on the port drive needed replacement.
"I don't understand why they left," Hunt explained to Soundings. "I'm a nice guy. I try to be nice to everyone."
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