Fellow SoCalJetBoats member Ken Nelson, aka "Challenger" was involved in a serious boating accident Sunday at Lake Elsinore while boating with his 5 year old son, Luke, and his brother. All 3 of them were violently thrown from the boat. The details of what happened are unclear, but unfortunately, his 5 year old son did not make it and Ken is seriously injured. His brother escaped with minor injuries.

I don't know much about Ken's condition at this point. What I have heard is he is in ICU and awaiting an MRI for back injuries. As you can imagine, he is in a ton of pain, emotionally and physically.

Luke was 5 yrs old and has a 3 year old sister Kaylie and an 11 month old brother Kenny and was awaiting the birth of his sister Stevie who is due in June. Ken and his Wife Kim are expecting another child in a couple of weeks.



I have reached out to the family and asked if there was any way we as fellow members of SoCal Jet Boats can help. They have given me contact information as well as donation accounts to help the Nelson Family get through this.

I want to make this as easy as possible with multiple options for people to donate.

●You can donate directly the following paypal account: donations@socaljetboats.com

●You can donate by clicking on the PayPal donate button on the left front page of this site. This does not require a paypal account and you can use check or credit cards.

●You can mail me a check made out to Brad Martin or Ken Nelson to the following address:

Brad Martin
6440 Sky Pointe Drive
Ste 140-464
Las Vegas, NV 89131

●You can route money straight to the Nelson Family via the following information:

Luke Nelson Memorial
Account #2353621
Altura Credit Union
Po Box 908
Riverside, California 92502-9957

●Skip has set up an Auction here: http://www.socaljetboats.com/the-no-wake-zone/ken-nelson-'challenger'-fundraiser-auction

●Also, proceeds from stickers, shirts, hats, etc from SoCalJetBoats.com will be forwarded to the Nelson Family. Skip will be setting up another run of Hats, possibly shirts if there is any interest.

All money directly donated to SCJB will be forwarded to the Nelson family and will be presented from SCJB as a group.

And lastly, please respect Ken and his family by leaving all speculations of what happened out of this thread. At this point I have spoken to a few people that were there that are from the site. They all confirmed there was no alcohol involved and Luke was wearing his life vest. The accident did not involve any other boats. Although he was at the lake with other SCJB Members, no one from the site saw it happen. From what I have gathered, poor weather and water conditions contributed to this very sad incident.

Ken - We're pulling for you - get better soon! You, your family and especially your son is in our thoughts, hearts and prayers.

More details were released here last night:

http://www.pe.com/localnews/stories/PE_News_Local_D_sboat25.22e95d1e.html

X2. very unfortunate. I will keep the Nelson family in my prayers and for Mr. Ken Nelson to make a speedy recovery.

thought and prayers for the family and Ken a speedy recovery

Dont know the family but Thoughts and prayers from my family to theres.God has plans and reasons for everything.Stay strong.

Matt, you type with really heavy words. I got choked up on your PM yesterday....and now your post today. Thank you for sharing.


So lets get this thing started....

I got $100 in to kick this off.

If we can get the total donated over $500 by Friday, I will throw in another $100....and $100 for each $500 mark after that.

Im also going to put in $100...which is the best and most efficient method?

Im also going to put in $100...which is the best and most efficient method?

paypal works

Brad, count me in for a hundred. When I can come up with more I will.

thanks ron

...and everyone else, dont feel you have to drop $100 to help out. anything helps. even if its just $5. we all know times are tough. 

paypal works

thanks ron

...and everyone else, dont feel you have to drop $100 to help out. anything helps. even if its just $5. we all know times are tough. 

Just put my donation in the mailbox. Sending it to the Luke Nelson Memorial Account. For those wanting to send it that way, I spoke to a rep from the Altura Credit Union and you just need to write in "Luke Nelson Memorial" in pay to order of portion and be sure to write the acct# in the "for" portion.

Matt

Thanks guys!

Guys i already said it in my engine parts thread, but i will say it here as well...all the remaining items i have for sale 50% of all proceeds will be going to the nelson family

very sad, i just kissed my little girl on the head and told her i loved her......
giving my best to the nelson family....

i got a side job comming up tomorrow, ill see what i can send...

I have two little ones (4 & 6), one in Kindergarden.

I read this and just sat here for a minute.............I finally called them both downstairs and showed them the picture of Lucas and told them that he was in a boating accident with his dad and uncle. When they asked me if he was ok, I couldn't tell them the truth. Instead I told them that we would donate some money to Lucas' family as his mommy was about to have another baby. I gave them both hugs and told them I loved them.

I couldn't imagine the pain the family must be going through at this time.............

My family will donate a hundred dollars to their account.

The Beersmeyer Clan

I have to go to Altura tomorrow anyway.    I will leave $200 in the name of Luke Nelson.

We lost my niece 2 years ago and her family is still far from being back on an even keel, especially Ashley's brother.   He is lost without her.