Memorial Day weekend is a time when many families visit lakes and rivers to unwind and celebrate the beginning of summer. But for one Louisville family, Nolin Lake is a sad memory of unthinkable loss.
Keegan Peterson, a 12-year-old boy from Louisville, died last summer while tubing at Nolin Lake with a friend’s family.
“He’s just a great kid who, you know, loved life, had a lot of energy, and an infectious smile,” Keegan’s mother, Heather Yelton, explained. “He’s just a really, really important part of our family.”
Last July, Keegan went with his friend’s family to their lake cottage. His parents weren’t around him.
“Our family wasn’t with him. “We were back in Louisville,” Yelton explained.
The boys were tubing on the lake when Keegan’s mother said the unimaginable occurred.
“The dad that was with them was on a jet ski and was changing a song on his jet ski and didn’t see the boat was turning and ran directly into the tube that Keegan was on,” according to Yelton.
Chris Peterson, Keegan’s father, detailed what happened next: “Causing, you know, blunt force trauma to his head, threw him face down in the water, and he drowned.”
Keegan was evacuated to Norton Children’s Hospital in Louisville and died two days later. His family was with him at the hospital.
“It’s been pretty, pretty difficult to get through this last year without him,” Chris Peterson said. “A lot of firsts that I wish upon no parent to go through.”
Yelton said she believes the tragedy might have been avoided.
“This wasn’t an accident; it was negligence, that this should have never happened,” she told the reporter. “People should not be riding jet skis near other boaters and tubers. And, you know, doing anything like that is just extremely unsafe and careless.
The family stated that no criminal charges had been brought against the father, who was operating the jet ski.
“I can’t imagine this happening to anyone else,” Yelton remarked in tears. “It’s just a big hole that’s missing from our family.”
Keegan was an avid soccer player, football fan, and socially active child. He would have turned 13 in September.
His parents are now sharing their tale in the hopes that it may help prevent future tragedies.
“If you are seeing careless, negligent activity going on, like please report it,” Yelton told the crowd.
As families plan summer vacations, the Petersons advise everyone to prioritize safety.
“Ensure that you know how to operate a motor vehicle on the water,” Chris Peterson advised. “If the water is too busy, stay safe. You know, save your tubes and water skiing for another day. If your children are traveling with another family, be sure you know who they are.
The Sawyer Youth Soccer Association established the Keegan Peterson Memorial Scholarship Fund to honor Keegan’s enthusiasm for soccer. All tax-deductible donations will be utilized to cover the costs of SYSA’s recreational and/or club soccer programs. Click here for more information.
Reference: Louisville family urges safety after 12-year-old son dies in Nolin Lake jet ski accident
