Authorities are investigating a boat accident that claimed the life of a father of three.
- Chad Derksen, 36, died on January 15
- Derksen, who didn't have life insurance, left behind a wife and three children
On January 15, Chad Derksen, 36, was riding in a boat with his 6 year-old son on the Anclote River, according to an FWC report. Sean Riley was operating a Gheenoe boat when it struck an unknown object. Derksen was killed on scene, and his young son has minor injuries. Riley was not hurt.
Derksen’s wife Veronica, a stay at home mom, is now left to care for her three children. Her husband was the breadwinner. He ran an irrigation company.
“My husband was just an awesome man," said Derksen. "He was the rock in our family. He went out and worked every day, mostly six days because we go to church on Sundays."
Derksen did not have life insurance. Their church family has rallied around them and started a fundraiser to help with the expenses of raising three children. So far, they have raised almost $10,000. You can visit that site here.
Although both men in the boat were experienced anglers, Derksen’s family says it serves as a reminder to everyone to be vigilant on the water.
“It goes to show me it doesn’t matter your experience on the water, these things can be easily missed,” said Nicholas Derksen, Chad’s brother.
The Derksens participated in a church ceremony dedicating their 6-month-old daughter to Jesus Christ in the hours before the crash, according to Derksen’s wife. She is thankful her daughter shared that moment with her father on his last day.
FWC says it will complete the crash investigation in six to eight weeks.