Naplesnews.com reports Rosario ‘Sal’ Pucciarelli,69, was swimming within a marked swimming area near the shoreline of the Ritz Carlton Hotel at Vanderbilt Beach on February 26 when he was struck by a boat operated by Brandon Ruganis.
Brandon Ruganis heading was east toward the shoreline in a 22′ Pathfinder fishing boat when the boat struck Pucciarelli. After assistance from onlookers at the scene of the collision, Pucciarelli was airlifted to Lee Memorial, where doctors were unable to reattach the foot. Pucciarelli remains in fair condition at Lee Memorial Hospital, according to Pat Dolce, a hospital spokeswoman.
