Video shows AZ teen jet skiing hit by sheriff’s deputy, lawsuit now filed

BARLETT LAKE, AZ — Drone video shows the moments a teen riding a jet ski was hit by a boat operated by a deputy with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office.

A lawsuit has now been filed in Maricopa County Superior Court against the sheriff, the sheriff’s office, and the deputy who was driving the boat.

The crash happened last Memorial Day near the Yellow Cliffs Boat Ramp at Bartlett Lake in the Tonto National Forest.

According to the lawsuit, the victim’s attorney claims that the deputy failed to keep a reasonable speed of the patrol watercraft to avoid colliding with the victim.

The victim, Josh Nieto-Cruz, was near a no-wake zone when he was hit by the boat.

Drone video captured nearby shows Nieto-Cruz was on the jet ski when the sheriff’s office approached and ran over him.

Watch the video in the player below; viewer discretion is advised.

VIDEO: Moment teen is hit by MCSO boat

The Maricopa County incident report said the teen was riding the jet ski along the shoreline looking for his family, when he realized he went too far, that’s when he said he began to turn around, before feeling the collision.

In the same report, the driver of the boat, Deputy John Farnsworth, said he noticed Nieto-Cruz riding faster than allowed in the no-wake zone, so he decided to catch up with the teen to talk about the rules.

The deputy said the jet ski turned in front of the boat. Farnsworth told first responders at the time that he did not know how fast the boat was going.

According to a notice of claim sent to the sheriff’s office, Nieto-Cruz suffered serious injuries to his right arm and leg.

Nieto-Cruz’s attorney wrote in court filings that the injuries impacted his ability to participate in athletics and employment.

A spokesperson for the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office said they have no comment because of the pending litigation.