Two Men Charged in Serious Jet Ski Accident on Middle River

Two Baltimore County men have been charged by the Maryland Natural Resources Police in connection with an alcohol- and drug-fueled  jet ski accident in September that injured two people.

Anthony Michael Sapanero, 48, of Perry Hall, was charged with borrowing a jet ski without permission of the owner. He subsequently lent the jet ski to another man, who rammed a second jet ski in Middle River, causing life-threatening injuries to the operator.

Nicholas Mannfred White, 24, of Hydes, was charged with operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol, operating a vessel under the influence of drugs, three counts of endangering the life of another while intoxicated, negligent operation of a jet ski and two counts of unsafe boating.

Both men are scheduled to appear on Jan. 20 in Baltimore District Court in Essex.

In charging documents, investigators say Sapanero took the jet ski from Long Beach Marina on Sept. 8 without the permission of its owner. Sapanero told investigators that he was in the process of buying the jet ski, but as of mid-November the vessel remained registered to the original owner.

Sapanero rode the jet ski to a waterfront bar in Essex, “The Crazy Tuna,” where he allowed White to use it.

According to charging documents, White and a passenger went for a ride on Middle River. White failed to follow state right-of-way laws and overtook and rammed an idling  jet ski. The crash flipped White’s jet ski and tossed White and his passenger and the operator of the second jet ski into the water.

The operator of the second jet ski was taken to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center for treatment of life-threatening injuries.  White was admitted to Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center. The two passengers did not require treatment.

Tests showed White had a blood alcohol content of .07, a legal assumption of impairment, and also was impaired by drugs, the charging documents said.

The day after the accident, Sapanero sent a text message to the jet ski owner with a request: “Do not tell them it was stolen.” He followed up with another text the next day: “You gotta make sure you them I didn’t steal the jet ski.”

If convicted of all charges, White faces a maximum fine of $2,000 and up to two years in jail. Sapanero could be fined $100 and incarcerated for up to four years.