TACOMA, Wash. — A husband and wife who were injured in a boat collision earlier this month are speaking for the first time since the crash.
"I just remember waking up in a pool of blood. And screaming for help,” said Vicki Brown, who lost most of her arm in the propeller because of the crash.
"I was in so much pain,” added Brown.
Prosecutors said a drunken boater sped into Vicki and Robert Brown’s boat on the Fourth of July after a fireworks show in Tacoma’s Commencement Bay. One person remains missing and is presumed dead.
"Somebody died, somebody's missing. That's the worst thing,” said Vicki Brown.
On Friday, she and her husband Rob spoke to KIRO 7 from their home where they are recovering.
Rob says he remembers a flash as the boat, driven by the suspected drunken operator, crashed into them.
Officials say that boat was going 40-45 miles per hour.
"They said it went up about 10 feet in the air and then upside down,” said Rob Brown of that boat.
According to prosecutors, Joshua Puckett was driving that boat. They say he reeked of alcohol and many bottles of alcohol were later found in his boat.
Three of his passengers were thrown from the boat. One of them, who was never found by the Coast Guard, is presumed dead.
Rob Brown says he doesn't even drink for good reason.
"My sister was killed in 1980 by a drunk driver, so this hits home,” said Vicki.
Their hope now is that somebody hears their message and decides not to drink and drive.
"That's all we can hope for,” said Rob.
"We need something, so that something good can come out of all this,” said Vicki.
Puckett’s trial is set to start in September.
KIRO
