Here's the latest on the Fox River powerboat-paddleboat crash in Oshkosh
OSHKOSH – A 52-year-old Oshkosh man has been arrested and awaits charges after the Winnebago County Sheriff's Office says he crashed his 45-foot powerboat into the side of a two-story "commercial stern-wheel pleasure cruise" paddleboat July 9 and fled the scene.
The sheriff's office released the crash report July 21.
The man has not yet been charged in court, and officials say the investigation is ongoing. USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin typically does not identify suspects until they have been charged.
What's the latest in the case?
The investigation remains ongoing, but the sheriff's office said July 21 it believes all 43 occupants of the paddleboat and all seven occupants of the powerboat have been identified.
The boat owner and operator had a bail hearing at 2:30 p.m. July 13. He was released on $10,000 cash bond, under conditions that he maintains "absolute sobriety," does not leave Wisconsin, surrenders his passport to the Winnebago County Sheriff's Office and follows the county's 24/7 sobriety program, according to the Winnebago County Clerk of Courts Office.
The sheriff's office asks anyone with additional information to call 920-236-7316.
When and where did the crash happen?
The boat crash occurred shortly before 10 p.m. July 9 on the Fox River, between the Oregon Street and Wisconsin Street bridges in Oshkosh.
How did the boats crash?
According to the crash report, the paddleboat was headed downstream on the Fox River, while the powerboat was headed upstream. People aboard the paddleboat and camera footage from the nearby bridges saw the powerboat "make reckless maneuvers" before heading straight towards the paddleboat, failing to yield the right of way. The powerboat did not activate its navigation lights, and just before impact turned in an apparent attempt to avoid hitting the paddleboat.
The port side of the powerboat collided with the port side of the paddleboat, which had 43 passengers and crew members on board.
The sheriff's office listed reckless operation, alcohol use, excessive speed, improper lookout, navigation rules violation and operator inattention as contributing factors to the crash.
Was anyone injured?
While the sheriff's office initially reported that seven passengers aboard the paddleboat were injured, the crash report listed that 14 people aboard the paddleboat were injured. Only one person was sent to the hospital.
The person had a back laceration that required medical treatment beyond first aid, according to the crash report.
What happened after the crash?
The powerboat fled the scene after the crash. According to the sheriff's office, witnesses and surveillance video found that seven people were on board the powerboat before and after the crash, indicating that none of the occupants fell overboard.
The paddleboat had "severe damage" to its side but made it safely to the south shore of the Fox River, where all occupants got off the boat, the sheriff's office said. It sustained damage to the deck, railing, windows, lower tier frame and chairs and tables on board, the crash report said.
The powerboat sustained damage to its front and left side, including fiberglass hanging from the hull and the lower unit missing from one of the engines, according to the crash report.
Several agencies assisted the Winnebago County Sheriff's Office in trying to find the powerboat, its owner and occupants the night of the crash but were unsuccessful.
Officials identified the boat owner and operator through boat registration records, Winnebago County Sheriff's Detective Capt. Todd Christie said. He was arrested July 12.
Loos Cruises, the operator of the paddleboat, has stopped booking reservations until further notice, according to its website.
What charges does the powerboat owner face?
The boat owner has not yet been formally charged, but the Winnebago County Sheriff's Office said he was arrested on 12 counts of second-degree recklessly endangering safety — a class G felony — and 11 counts of failing to render aid after a boating accident.
More: Man convicted in boat crash deaths of Neenah sisters denied new trial or lesser sentence
Contact Kelli Arseneau at (920) 213-3721 or karseneau@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @ArseneauKelli.
This article originally appeared on Oshkosh Northwestern: What we know about the Fox River powerboat-paddleboat crash in Oshkosh
