Louisville family pushes for stricter boating laws after son's death at Nolin Lake

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A Louisville family is calling for change after their son died at Nolin Lake.

12-year-old Keegan Peterson joined his friend's family on a trip to their lake house in July 2024. While Keegan's family was not there, his mother told WDRB the boys were tubing on the lake when tragedy struck.

"The dad that was with them was on a jet ski and was changing a song on his jet ski and didn't see the boat was turning and ran directly into the tube that Keegan was on,” Yelton told WDRB in May 2025.

Keegan was airlifted to Norton Children's Hospital in Louisville, where he died two days later. His family was with him in the hospital.

The family said no criminal charges have been filed against the father who was operating the jet ski.

Yelton said Keegan was an avid soccer player, a football fan, and a social, energetic child. He would have turned 13 in September.

Now, his family is pushing for tougher restrictions on boaters though a bill nicknamed "Keegan's Law." While there are many aspects the family would like to tackle, Yelton said they're starting with boating under the influence.

"We just really want to make some changes happen," Yelton said. "We don't want any other family to have to deal with the loss and suffering that we have."

Yelton said she believes alcohol may have played a role in her son's death, but won’t ever know for sure.

"I think it's very possible," Yelton said. "But it's hard to say because the Fish and Wildlife detectives came to the family an hour-and-a-half later, and really only did a field sobriety test."

Yelton met with Kentucky State Representative Ken Fleming Tuesday to discuss Keegan's Law. Currently, the bill pushes for officers to give B.A.C. tests to people involved in serious or deadly crashes and accidents within a certain time frame.

However, that's just the first step.

"We're looking at the training of these officers," Fleming said. "We can help the officers to give them better resources."

Currently, anyone 18 years or older does not have to have a boating license or boater education certificate in Kentucky. Yelton believes adding that requirement to Keegan's Law could save lives and make Kentucky's lakes safer.

"Especially on small lakes that are very heavily trafficked," Yelton said. "We're trying to take our pain and put it into a positive outlet."

This bill will be officially introduced in January 2026, but Fleming says there could be a hearing during this interim session.

Ultimately, Yelton and her family hope the proposed regulations are taken as seriously as drinking and driving.

"Drinking and boating is just as serious," she said. "Maybe more serious on waterways, as there aren't street lines and direct rules that are to be followed. It's a little bit more free and loose, which makes it more dangerous."

Yelton encourages people to write letters and emails supporting Keegan's Law to their representatives. They also invite people to join Keegan Strong, a Facebook group dedicated to sharing his story and advocating for water safety awareness.

Other Lake Stories:

Louisville family urges safety after 12-year-old son dies in Nolin Lake jet ski accident

High water levels at Kentucky, Indiana lakes could impact holiday weekend plans

Nolin Lake State Park remains closed after historic flooding in Kentucky