For Immediate Release

Monday, Aug. 14, 2017

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Chelmsford Police Charge Man with Operating Under the Influence Following Jet Ski Crash On The Merrimack River

CHELMSFORD — Chief James Spinney reports that officers responded to a jet ski collision on the Merrimack River Sunday night, which resulted in a man being arrested for operating under the influence.

A 16-year-old girl who was riding a second jet ski involved in the crash remains missing at this time and is the subject is a multi-agency search.

DOUGLAS DEMATOS, AGE 32, OF LOWELL, was arrested and charged with:

• Operating a Watercraft Under the Influence of an Intoxicating Liquor
• Negligent Operation of a Motor Boat
• Operating a Jet Ski At Night
• Operating an Unregistered Motorboat
• Operating At Night Without Navigation Lights
• Operating a Jet Ski Too Close to Another Vessel

At approximately 10:34 p.m., Sunday, officers were dispatched to the Merrimack River for a report of people yelling and arguing. Upon arrival, officers conducted a preliminary investigation and learned that two jet skis had collided on the river, resulting in a female passenger on one of the jet skis being knocked into the water.

Upon further investigation, officers determined that DEMATOS had been operating one of the jet skis and had allegedly been drinking alcohol prior to the collision. DEMATOS was transported to Lowell General Hospital as a result of his injuries, which are not believed to be life threatening.

The female passenger was not located last night, and the search for her was suspended until dawn. The Chelmsford Fire Department, Massachusetts Environmental Police, State Police and the Lowell Police/Fire Dive Team are working together in the search.

Due to the location of the incident, the Massachusetts Environmental Police assumed jurisdiction of the investigation and subsequently determined that DEMATOS was allegedly under the influence of alcohol.

DEMATOS remains in the custody of the Chelmsford Police and will be turned over to the Environmental Police following his release from the hospital. He will then be arraigned at Lowell District Court.

The investigation into the crash remains active and ongoing.

This is a breaking news update. Additional information will be released as it becomes available.

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