IU student killed in boating accident

IU student Mark Olley was killed Wednesday, July 3, in a boating accident in Indianapolis. The 20-year-old Munster, Indiana, native was operating a friend's watercraft at about 7:30 p.m. on the White River when he veered into the path of an oncoming bass boat. \n"He was operating a friend's jet ski on the river, just out jumping wakes," said Angie Goldman, a conservation officer with the Department of Natural Resources who was on call to investigate the scene of the accident.\n"When he was jumping the waves of another boat, he was concentrating on that boat more than the one he jumped out in front of. Even though the boat throttled down, he wasn't able to get out of (Olley's) way."\nAfter being struck by the oncoming craft and thrown from his jet ski, Olley was pulled from the water by another boater who immediately administered CPR. He was pronounced dead on the scene shortly thereafter.\nInvestigators said the cause of the accident was due to Olley being unfamiliar with how to operate the water vehicle. \nGoldman said she had received the coroner's report and confirmed his death was due to blunt force trauma. \n"He didn't drown, he died from the impact from when he was hit by the boat," she said.\nIn Indianapolis for an internship, the economics and political science major was known among his peers as having a light-hearted attitude and an energetic demeanor.\n"He was a very talented, outgoing guy," said Steven Kennedy, Olley's high school debate coach. "He made it to nationals in speech and debate as a sophomore and junior, which is amazing."\nKennedy added that Olley was involved in the performing arts, as he was in a number of high school productions.\nJoshua Claybourn, a fellow IU student and long-time debating opponent, had only good things to say about his friend. \n"I knew Mark in high school through debate competitions, but really got to know him at IU," Claybourn said. "We were friendly political opponents."\nOlley was active in student government and held a number of political positions affiliated with the IU College Democrats.\n"I remember him seeing the big picture, leaning over to whisper a joke in my ear and being able to get along with anyone," Claybourn said.\nBill Trovinger, a Munster High School classmate and fellow Hoosier also said Olley will be greatly missed.\n"I was shocked to hear of his tragic death," Trovinger said. "I had known Mark since middle school. We would hang out and always end up chatting for a long time when we would bump into each other on campus."\n"We were both also active in IUSA where I am sure his presence will most definitely be missed as a student representative. Mark was a very good-natured guy. He was always smiling and was very outgoing." \nClaybourn agreed.\n"Mark was a kind, vibrant and genuine person. Anyone who had the pleasure of knowing him will truly miss him"