bad crash on dl

[3Roosters]

In answer to how the other passengers are doing. I believe the driver was released from the hospital the day after the accident. I believe the other female passenger either is in satisfactory condition or has been released from the hospital. Two young men remain in critical condition in Grand Forks. One had to have part of their skull removed to help reduce the pressure/swelling. Thoughts and prayers are needed for these 2 young men. gofundme accounts have been set up in each of their names. Search EVERSON and KURTZ. Donations are also being accepted at Bremer Bank if you feel so inclined. Thoughts and prayers for sure though. Maybe this NDA site can get overloaded with support for them

 

[MuskyManiac]

 

[lunkerslayer]

That is the only tree in a 200+ foot radius, sure sucks I will pray for all those involved.

 

[weedy1]

stop fn arguing it was an accident, they happen, condolences to the family's

I agree condolences are due to the individuals and families that are impacted by the tragedy. As far as the "accident" goes, such occurrences "happen by chance" are "not planned" or "unexpected". If a person happens to be intoxicated, drives at a high rate of speed in dangerous conditions such as standing or submerged trees, and then you throw in the darkness factor the "accidental" aspect of the incident is certainly decreased.

If the driver of the boat ignored the hazards present, or was not in full control of his faculties, then he was negligent. If he was negligent and he caused the death of another it is hard to feel sorry for the pain he may suffer for the rest of his life. Feel sorry for the individual who died and those who may be suffer the rest of their lives due to his poor choices.

If the attention given to this incident makes at least one person make a "good" choice when given the chance, that would be a positive outcome of this discussion thread.

 

[svnmag]

Prayers to all involved. This kind of garbage isn't supposed to happen with fishing.

 

[deleted member]

I bet this accident saves at least one life in the future. But, we will never know.

 

[Vollmer]

Charges filed against driver in fatal boat crash on Devils Lake

By Adam Ladwig

Devils Lake, ND (WDAZ TV) - Charges have been filed against 54-year-old Tom Burns, the Grand Forks man behind the wheel when a boat crashed into a tree sticking out of the water on Devils Lake.


Burns is charged with one count of manslaughter, a Class B felony, three counts of reckless endangerment, a Class C felony, and one count of boating under the influence, a Class B misdemeanor.
The crash happened shortly before 3 a.m. the morning of August 9th near the Haybale Heights campground east of Devils Lake
26-year-old April Stenger of Detroit Lakes died in the crash.
26-year-olds Joey Kurtz and Kyle Everson of Devils Lake were severely injured, as was 40-year-old Danielle Brommenschenkel of Halstad, Minnesota.
The boat they were in was traveling 30 miles per hour when it hit the tree. It's unknown if the boat had safety lights or if the passengers were wearing life jackets.
An initial court date has not been set as of tonight.

 

[deleted___account]

I guess the question to ask and not just based on this news story alone. When is an accident an accident and when is the state never not looking to make an example out of someone. In the past, these things, and many other incidents were nothing more than accidents. Nowadays an accident means your a murderer and need to be locked up for such pre meditated accidental incidents.

 

[Fisherman25]

I can't imagine being in his situation....or the rest of them or their families for that matter. Nothing easy about any of it.

 

[labhunter66]

I guess the question to ask and not just based on this news story alone. When is an accident an accident and when is the state never not looking to make an example out of someone. In the past, these things, and many other incidents were nothing more than accidents. Nowadays an accident means your a murderer and need to be locked up for such pre meditated accidental incidents.

It's not just an accident when you're shitfaced out on the water at high speed in the middle of the night. That's negligent and someone died because of it. I don't think this is a case of trying to make an example out of someone. It's a case of someone being held accountable for a crime.

 

[You]

It was an accident by way of bad judgement when I first heard. Now that we know he was shitfaced, it's manslaughter. For sure.

 

[guywhofishes]

That sucks... Just a few ft in either direction and it's minor injuries, embarrasment, and an f'd up boat run aground.

 

[3Roosters]

2 people in that boat are still in the hospital because of this. One of them may have brain injuries that might not ever recover from. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers. There will be multiple benefits for them and their families as the costs will be unimaginable. Please visit go fund me or any Bremer Bank. If you have a spare dollar, please consider contributing.
I was young and dumb once. Please please please be safe out on the water..especially DL. There are hazards out there during daylight let alone at nite.

 

[eyexer]

hopefully the jackass never gets out of prison for this. this is stupidity at it's finest.

 

[Rowdie]

I guess the question to ask and not just based on this news story alone. When is an accident an accident and when is the state never not looking to make an example out of someone. In the past, these things, and many other incidents were nothing more than accidents. Nowadays an accident means your a murderer and need to be locked up for such pre meditated accidental incidents.

Its really not a question to ask, because the laws have already answered them. Lawmakers spent many hours writing these laws at one point in time. The debate is over. Don't operate autos, boats, or other machines while intoxicated!! You will be held accountable.

 

[Obi-Wan]

It was an accident by way of bad judgement when I first heard. Now that we know he was shitfaced, it's manslaughter. For sure.

where did it say he was shitfaced? Just because he was charged with BUI does not mean he was shitfaced, unless your definition of shitfaced is .08 or above

 

[Bowhunter_24]

.

 

[westwolfone]

"Shitfaced" is different for every individual. The article said he was over twice the legal limit.

I'm not going to judge the guy. He made a very bad mistake, been there. Sometimes things like this happen to good people.
He needs to be punished, but I think he also deserves a chance at redemption at some point.

My thoughts are with the survivors also, hopefully this doesn't get any worse.

 

[labhunter66]

where did it say he was shitfaced? Just because he was charged with BUI does not mean he was shitfaced, unless your definition of shitfaced is .08 or above

I don't care what any individuals definition of "shitfaced" is. If you're driving any vehicle at twice the legal limit and kill someone you should be held accountable. By the way, legal intoxication for a boat is .10 not .08 so his blood alcohol was at least .20. Not something that's deserving of a break or benefit of the doubt.

 

[Jigaman]

he was .178, three hours after the crash. I would say that qualifies as being shitfaced.