NO HOMICIDE CHARGES IN BOATING ACCIDENT
Tuesday, November 1st, 2005 -- 12:02 PM
The Clark County District Attorney?s office has decided not to press homicide charges against the 38-year-old Blair man whose wife died in a boating accident on September 10th.The crash occurred on Lake Arbutus, near Hatfield.
Autopsy results show Dawn Bolte drown to death after the boat her and her husband, Eric, were in crashed into some rocks.
Eric Bolte is facing one count of ?operating a boat while under the influence?, but the District Attorney?s office was considering more serious charges.
A witness who told investigators they had heard a male voice, presumably Eric Bolte?s, encourage his passenger to take the wheel. Seconds later, the boat crashed.
Dawn?s parents told investigators she almost always drove the boat.
Clark County Assistant District Attorney Dick Lewis tells WCCN/WPKG that they will proceed with the charge that Mr. Bolte was operating the boat under the influence, but they would not be able to prove ?beyond all reasonable doubt? that the defendant was driving the boat at the time of the fatal collision.
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