John Doe,
I called for a "through investigation," and an "appropriate" response from authorities afterward. I haven't dismissed any possibilities and I haven't appointed myself judge/jury and executioner.
However I admit that I believe that on public waterways the boat operator has the greater degree of responsibility to be on the lookout for downed skiers. Because he's the one with the boat.

Having lived and boated here for 15 years I am saddened to hear about this tragedy. Most locals now refuse to boat on weekends due to heavy traffic and the larger boats leaving larger wakes. Wake boarders love the chop but the DNR has to consider setting limits on the shear number of boats or the size of boats as Geneva Lake becomes a more dangerous place on weekends. Speed limits are good but not enough. We've watched as the average boat size here has increased from 20 feet to 25 feet adding to the intensity of the chop on weekends. Those who live and boat here know this was only a matter of time. We have good Police coverage and water safety does a great job as well. It's time for the DNR to step up for everyone's safety and take a serious look at how dangerous weekends are on this beautiful Lake. Launch limits seem a reasonable area to investigate as one option? Maybe the Gazette could have a reporter come out for a Saturday boating trip and see first hand what weekend boating is really like?

Apparently we don't need an investigation.
happycamper and jck seem to know who was at fault before the investigation even begins.
Let's save the taxpayers money and just let these two be judge, jury and executioner.
Please explain how you happen to know at this initial stage, who was at fault.
Is it possible that the wakeboarder and driver of that boat may share in the blame?
Not saying that this is the case, but just wondering how you can dismiss that possibility before there is even an investigation.
Please enlighten us.
.
The ened result is the same, and my condolences go out to her family and friends.

Once investigation begins the "accident" will be renamed to it's proper name. Manslaughter. The driver of the boat needs to take responsibility and be held accountable for their actions. "I didn't mean to" is no longer excusable.

nutty asked "Are there really 6 foot waves on Lake Geneva?"

No, it's likey a Bush regime political scare tactic designed to keep us opressed and off the waters so that the "privilidged" can have enjoy better fishing spots! What do you think?

I too extend my sympathies to the parties involved. But I'm not so quick to let the boater off the hook. God didn't cause this incident, human error is involved. If weather conditions are extreme then you have to exercise extreme caution. I question if you've done that if the end result is that you've struck and killed a skier in the water. I'm not suggesting it was an intentional act but I'm hesitant to call it entirely accidental as if God were somehow manipulating the event. I trust the authorities will conduct a through investigation and take appropriate action, whatever that may be, afterward.

All the laws in the world would not have prevented this from happening that is why it is called an accident! If you have been out on a lake with 2 to 6 foot waves you will know something is not there one second and there the next. Thoughts and Prayers to both partys involved

How sad! I will keep the woman in my prayers. Everybody, please be safe over the long holiday weekend.

THIS IS A TRAGEDY THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN PREVENTED WITH THE ADOPTION OF A LAW REQUIRING THAT THE SPOTTER BE REQUIRED TO RAISE A WARNING FLAG WHEN A PERSON OR PERSONS HAVE FALLEN INTO THE WATER WHEN BEING TOWED BY A BOAT WHEN SKIING, BOARDING OR TUBING. IT SIMPLY LETS OTHER CRAFT IN THE AREA KNOW THAT SOMEONE IS IN THE WATER AND TO BE A BIT MORE VIGILANT AND SLOW DOWN!!!