This sounds like a 14 foot boat with an outboard motor, driven by an inexperienced driver, who let the boat get out of control. I can't believe the kid maliciously rammed another boat, and he clearly didn't see the swimmer.
Had his parents allowed him to use it? Had they encouraged it? Does he have any history of being a kid who is reckless and dangerous, or not? Was he using alcohol or drugs?
The answers will help determine the extent to which he should be held culpable and the extent to which his parents have been.
An 18-foot skiff sped over the boy, then crashed into his father's vessel, causing it to sink. The driver paused momentarily before taking off, Acton said.
Maybe he didn't realize he'd run down the 10 year old snorkeler. He certainly realized that he'd rammed another vehicle, and then he fled. You want to pin some blame on his parents? Go ahead. That doesn't let the coward off the hook.