What started as a casual boating trip on Lake Ridge turned into a criminal investigation after authorities discovered that one boater’s reckless actions during a slow tow endangered lives — and ended in felony charges.
The Incident
On Saturday afternoon, witnesses reported seeing a small recreational boat towing a larger vessel at an unusually slow pace near the main dock. While slow towing is typically safe, officers say the boater — identified as 38-year-old Mark Benton — failed to secure the tow line properly, creating a hazardous situation.
One onlooker described it:
“The bigger boat was swinging wildly behind him. It looked like it could smash into someone at any moment.”
Danger Turns Criminal
Authorities arrived after a passerby called 911, reporting that the tow had caused a near-collision with two other boats. Investigators determined that Benton’s negligence wasn’t just reckless — it violated multiple boating safety laws.
Police say Benton ignored warning signals from nearby boaters and repeatedly accelerated and decelerated while towing the large vessel, putting both his passenger and others on the lake in jeopardy.
Felony Charges Filed
After reviewing the evidence, Lake Ridge Police charged Benton with:
- Reckless endangerment (felony)
- Negligent boating
- Failure to secure tow equipment properly
Benton was taken into custody at the dock and released on bail pending a court appearance.
A Lesson in Safety
Boating safety experts say even slow towing can become deadly if the tow line isn’t secure or the boat operator isn’t paying attention.
“Many people think going slow makes it safe, but that’s not true,” said Officer Jenna Carlisle. “A swinging or uncontrolled vessel can easily injure someone or cause property damage.”
Community Reacts
Local boaters expressed shock that a casual afternoon outing could escalate to felony charges. Social media posts flooded with warnings:
- “Always secure your tow lines!”
- “Slow doesn’t mean safe — learn from this!”
- “Glad nobody was seriously hurt.”
Authorities say they will continue to monitor boating activity on Lake Ridge to prevent similar incidents in the future.
