COEUR d'ALENE - The Kootenai County Sheriff's Office is recommending prosecutors charge the driver of a boat that struck a teenager, cutting her with the propeller.

The driver, Pamela Tempe, 34, of Spokane,is facing possible charges of gross negligent operation of a vessel and failure to have a proper lookout. The accident occurred Wednesday on Lake Coeur d'Alene, and authorities responded to Conklin Park Marina.

Lt. Stu Miller, of the sheriff's office, said both charges are misdemeanors. The gross negligent operation of a vessel charge is similar to reckless driving and involves injury or death.

The victim, a 14-year-old girl from Las Vegas, was in a rubber raft on the lake and tried to get out as the boat was approaching, Miller said.

The girl received cuts up to 6 inches in length from her heels to her buttocks. At least one gash reached bone, he said. The girl was wearing a life jacket, which prevented her from possibly drowning.

She was treated at Kootenai Health's medical center in Coeur d'Alene and then released, Miller said.

Tempe was helping teach a child to ski, along with the boat's owner, he said.

"It was (Tempe's) very first time operating a boat," Miller said.