The pilot of a drone that knocked a woman unconscious at a parade in Seattle has been sentenced to 30 days in jail and a $500 fine.
According to The Seattle Times, Paul M. Skinner, 38, was operating the drone during a 2015 Pride Parade when it crashed into a crowd after it crashed into a building. Skinner was found guilty of reckless endangerment by Judge Willie Gregory of the Seattle Municipal Court.
Gregory acknowledged Skinner didn’t intentionally mean to cause harm to the woman who was knocked unconscious. However, Skinner, the owner of an aerial photography studio, did engage “in conduct that put people in danger of being injured.”
Skinner’s attorney, Jeffrey Kradel, called the sentence “too severe.” A City Attorney for the woman, meanwhile, sought to lock Skinner up for 90 days, saying the use of drones is “a serious public-safety issue.” The woman suffered a concussion as a result of the incident.
Drones are fun but dangerous
Over the past few years, drones have become much more prevalent in the marketplace, thanks in large part to companies such as DJI. While drones help create beautiful photos and videos, they can be dangerous, as the above incident proves.
Drone regulations are still a tricky thing, though the Federal Aviation Administration does have rules in place.