Colorado mother warns of dangers of jet skis after near-death experience

In some situations, a life jacket can mean life or death. That was the case for an Aurora woman who had a near-death experience last summer on a jet ski.

Heading into a hot Father's Day and Juneteenth weekend, Cherry Creek State Park is expecting huge crowds of up to 5,000 visitors.

Park officials expect an increase in the number of people operating motorboats and watercraft, so they are issuing a warning about the importance of being careful to avoid any major accidents.

A 25-year-old mother of two echoes that sentiment after having a terrible experience on a Colorado lake.

Brianna Cruz hopes her story will prevent others from going through a traumatic experience like she did last year.

“I’m shaking,” Cruz said.

Facing her fears, Cruz returned to the same place where her life changed forever.

“It’s hard to be in a place where one moment you’re good and the next moment you’re fighting for your life,” she said.

Last year, on July 4, she found herself in this place, where she thought she would never find herself.

While she was jet skiing with friends and family, another jet ski driver going 25 to 30 miles per hour hit her, causing her to pass out.

“I was hurt, but I didn’t achieve anything,” Cruz said.

Driven by the shock in her body, she was numb to pain, but what she saw when she regained consciousness, she will never forget.

“I remember seeing little red things in the water and I thought it was a fish, and then I looked really carefully and I was like 'oh no, that's my leg,' and then it hit me like 'oh yeah, that's my leg floating in the water,” Cruz described.

The impact of the accident was so strong that it severed his leg, but his determination to live was stronger.

“It was only hanging by a tendon and I was able, by the grace of God, to get back on my jet ski and get back to land, because I knew I didn't want to die on the water,” Cruz said .

Cherry Creek State Park Superintendent Michelle Seubert says so far this year there has been an increase in visitation to the park and reservoir. Additionally, jet ski violations are also on the rise.

“We just want to make sure that people remember some of our safety requirements for any boat, whether it's a jet ski, a paddleboard or a kayak, and most importantly, that they wear their life jackets,” Seubert said.

The scars on Cruz's leg remind him daily that the life jacket saved his life.

“Wear your life jacket,” Cruz said. “Because if I didn’t wear my life vest, I wouldn’t be here today talking about my story.”

Four surgeries later, pieces of metal and nails are holding his leg together. It took Cruz six months, a lot of physical therapy and healing to be able to walk again.

“Traumatic things happen all the time, but it's not something that will stop you, you just have to keep going,” Cruz said.

This courageous and resilient survivor wants to be an example for her children and others. She seeks to fulfill her dream of becoming a cop one day.

Park officials also warn of a law recently taken into effect June 1, 2024, that requires teens ages 14 to 17 to take an online boating safety course before operating a motorboat in Colorado.

Those who fail to do so could be subject to an infraction and a fine of up to $100.