CITRUS COUNTY, Fla. — Authorities are asking for the community's help in identifying the driver of a boat that struck a person scalloping in Citrus County.
The incident happened at 3:45 p.m. on Thursday, July 6, in the Homosassa area. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is investigating as the search for the driver continues.
Jason Wetmore said his day started as a perfect day. He was out with family and friends and was wrapping up a long day of snorkeling for scallops.
"I looked up, I saw the bow of a boat coming super, super fast," Wetmore said. "And I was able to dive thankfully. And it just caught my legs and cut them all up, ripped my fins off, my booties off. And then they stopped for a brief second kind of like, looked around, and then drove off."
Wetmore thought this was it. "This is how I die," he thought at the moment he saw a boat zooming towards him. "And thankfully, I didn't this time."
According to FWC, the incident happened at scallop grounds northwest of St. Martins River in the Crystal River and Homosassa area. The vessel reportedly left the scene.
Wetmore said his friends dragged him back aboard their boat, called 911, and headed to the boat ramp where an ambulance met them.
The propeller cut the calcaneus off Wetmore's foot. He has surgery to reattach it on Tuesday. He is being treated at HCA Florida Bayonet Point Hospital. Wetmore lives in Rockledge and said he is eager to get back home to his kids.
As he recovers, FWC is searching for the person who ran him over. The boat was described by witnesses as a Robalo or Sea Fox with a top. The body of the vessel is white, beige or blue.
FWC said the vessel operator has not been identified, investigators are currently looking into tips submitted by the public. The driver is described as a middle-aged white man with a large build, seen wearing a white shirt.
Anyone with a home security camera that faces the Crystal River or Withlacoochee River is being asked to check their footage for a boat matching the description given between 1:30 p.m. and sunset on July 6.
People with information are asked to call the Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922) or text 847411 (Tip411) with the keyword "FWC" and information about the operator. Tipsters may be eligible for a reward.
Wetmore said he is personally funding a $25,000 reward for information leading to the conviction of the person responsible for his injuries.
In Citrus County, scalloping season began on July 1 and lasts through Sept. 24.
When scalloping or participating in any kind of snorkeling in open water, divers should stay within 300 feet of a properly displayed "divers down" flag. Boat operators traveling within 300 feet of a divers-down flag must slow to idle speed.
For more information, visit MyFWC.com/Boating, click "Boating Regulations" and select "Divers-down Warning Devices."
Malique Rankin is a general assignment reporter with 10 Tampa Bay. You can email her story ideas at mrankin@10tampabay.com and follow her Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages.