Hit and Run
Unlikely it was squashed, more likely there was no evidence of the actual captain piloting the boat. Criminal liability depends proving facts established by witnesses and documents, proven "beyond a reasonable doubt." Here: collision at night, no witnesses, passengers and captain phone helpful friend who assist them in leaving the scene shortly thereafter. Captain tells investigators that the boat was stolen, or nothing at all, he is not required to talk to the police or authorities in any way. Friends on the boat are unknown and/or won't talk.
Proof: a boat wreck, with no evidence of who was at the helm. We can all speculate, and I speculate that that speculation is correct. Absent a witness positively identifying the captain at the moment of impact, all you have is an insurance matter, nothing close to a case "beyond a reasonable doubt." In the insurance case, the Searay's owner tells his insurance carrier that the boat was stolen, and he knew nothing of it until the next morning. No proof to the contrary. Of course he left the keys in the boat, doesn't everyone in this safe place?
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