Acworth father, son killed in Jet Ski accident

SUNSET BEACH, N.C. — A community is mourning a father and son killed in a jet ski accident while on vacation.

Investigators say the father was driving when they hit a fishing pier in Sunset Beach, North Carolina, Friday afternoon.

John Wernowsky, 51, and his 10-year-old son, Jake, died in the crash, the Brunswick County coroner confirmed.

Wernowsky and his family are from Acworth. His wife and daughter were also on the trip. A neighbor told Channel 2’s Robert Ray that they were on a nearby jet ski and were also injured in the crash.

Friday night neighbors gathered at the family’s church to mourn and pray for them. Many were visibly shaken as they entered the church for a private vigil.

“They were just awesome people. They would do anything for anybody, just give you the shirt off their back. Just great people,” said Katie DiMartino.

Neighbor Jim Riekel has known the family for nearly 10 years and lives across the street in Acworth.

“Jake is 10 years old, played lacrosse. We have watched him from a baby and growing up. He is special to everybody,” Riekel said. “That was John’s little guy. I mean, he loved him to death.”

Neighborhood friends say they are going to support the family in the days and weeks ahead and people are already preparing for the mother and daughter to come back to Acworth.

They say more vigils will be held at the church in the coming days.

Cox Media Group