Wolfeboro Hit and Run

[tis]

It's funny we haven't heard a word about it.

[Alton Bay]

Originally Posted by tis

It's funny we haven't heard a word about it.

Sent from my iPhone using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

[ishoot308]

https://www.laconiadailysun.com/news...oHgKT2H-2__GV8

Dan

[ApS]

I'll go ahead and speculate (some more).

At ~11:00PM, the operator of left a residence in Tuftonboro (a town only a hundred watery yards from Wolfeboro), headed SE, passing a flashing-red marker 19, failed to turn South, continued a hundred yards until crushing the victim's dock with its 20 tons, flew over the HackerCraft (Dukes of Hazzard style--hat-tip to Codeman671), depressing the HackerCraft into the water--yet damaging the helm severely*, ripping through the pumpkin-colored boat cover (collecting part of it in the Searay's crushed starboard propeller), fleeing until running aground nearby, telephoning the party of the Tuftonboro home they'd just left, got a return lift to the same residence, thereby escaping authorities' scrutiny of the operator's condition. (Whether affected by alcohol or drugs).

The Searay could have piles of "empties" abandoned inside it.

*my recollection (and one old photograph) has the HackerCraft docked on the northern (other) side of the dock, wrapped in a pumpkin-colored boat cover.

Those Tuftonboro residences bordering noisy highway 109 are a haven for local (and visiting) noisy oversized boats.

[granitehead]

Wish he'd snapped off that SeaRay rudder though... then I'd have bookends! Found this one south of 40 Islands.

[ApS]

I've learned a little bit more:

1) The 50' Searay traveled less than 100' before grounding on shore. (Some of that distance was "in flight"). There would have been a sudden stop--without airbags. (So expect injuries).

2) I was shown a photo of the getaway boat. It was photographed by flashlight, but three occupants can be seen: one especially clearly.

Because of the "on going" investigation, I shouldn't disclose anything further.

[LIforrelaxin]

Originally Posted by ApS

I've learned a little bit more:

1) The 50' Searay traveled less than 100' before grounding on shore. (Some of that distance was "in flight"). There would have been a sudden stop--without airbags. (So expect injuries).

2) I was shown a photo of the getaway boat. It was photographed by flashlight, but three occupants can be seen: one especially clearly.

Because of the "on going" investigation, I shouldn't disclose anything further.

I am not sure what you believe you have learned that wasn't already know, and public knowledge.....

I for one am just glad, that we haven't found out about any deaths, or serious injuries, related to this..... Don't however let that make you think, I don't have thoughts about what went on, and what should happen to the people involved.... Maybe the details of the case will come out, maybe they won't.....

[mofn]

The Carroll County grand jury sits tomorrow, then on 10/20, 11/17, 12/20.
Given the date of the accident and tomorrow, can anybody with experience tell us how long this type of investigation would take to be ready to proceed to a jury?

[LIforrelaxin]

Originally Posted by mofn

The Carroll County grand jury sits tomorrow, then on 10/20, 11/17, 12/20.
Given the date of the accident and tomorrow, can anybody with experience tell us how long this type of investigation would take to be ready to proceed to a jury?

The Grand Jury at this point and time is not relevant to this case. Assuming the investigation is not concluded, it is indeterminate as to weather or not there are charges that can be brought by the DA, or questionable charges that the DA would bring to the Grand Jury for evaluation of weather there was any wrong doing.

Grand Jury, doesn't equal a Jury Trial....

[codeman671]

Originally Posted by ApS

I've learned a little bit more:

1) The 50' Searay traveled less than 100' before grounding on shore. (Some of that distance was "in flight"). There would have been a sudden stop--without airbags. (So expect injuries).

2) I was shown a photo of the getaway boat. It was photographed by flashlight, but three occupants can be seen: one especially clearly.

Because of the "on going" investigation, I shouldn't disclose anything further.

Chances are we have ALL seen the picture you are referring to. The one showing the port side of the boat with the bow numbers clearly depicted, the back of the guy that owns the Sea Ray with a gray shirt on, the guy in the blue tank top covering his face, and the woman in pink...

It still amazes me that you think the 50' Sea Ray was airborne, landed and ended up grounded, but has such minimal damage to itself?

[FlyingScot]

Originally Posted by codeman671

Chances are we have ALL seen the picture you are referring to. The one showing the port side of the boat with the bow numbers clearly depicted, the back of the guy that owns the Sea Ray with a gray shirt on, the guy in the blue tank top covering his face, and the woman in pink...

It still amazes me that you think the 50' Sea Ray was airborne, landed and ended up grounded, but has such minimal damage to itself?

And that nobody was SERIOUSLY injured--that about how fast a boat would be traveling to get airborne

[ApS]

Originally Posted by FlyingScot

And that nobody was SERIOUSLY injured--that about how fast a boat would be traveling to get airborne.

Timely law enforcement interviews will determine if nobody was SERIOUSLY injured. (Or "merely" knocked unconscious). Had the perpetrators departed the state that night, they could have been willingly hiding injuries.

Originally Posted by ishoot308

I have been to the dock in question…the Searay didn’t go over the dock, it went through it never leaving the water.

Dan

View the drone photos here: https://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums...7&postcount=37

While the drone almost misses a direct overhead shot, the drone still shows all of the intact joists (stringers) directly depressed under water. Enough intact planking remains to almost reassemble the dock! Was every splintered plank removed before the drone took to the air?

The drone's overhead video also shows how close the Searay came to also striking the neighboring dock and boat.

I think I'll take my collection of reflectors and secure them to my dock next Spring!

Originally Posted by TheTimeTraveler

One thing to remember about this accident: It happened at night and boating conditions were likely pitch black..........

Darkness, nor any weather condition, doesn't affect the rules of navigation to "Always Keep a Proper Watch".

[ApS]

If insurance covers this Hackercraft, will the insurance company offer a new Hackercraft?

From the Hackercraft factory in NY, their cheapest model starts at $235,000.

https://robbreport.com/motors/marine.../hacker-craft/

Or a replacement "previously-owned" Hackercraft--at $215,000?

https://hackerboat.com/boat/hull-519...YlN9Q10qzdoTxj

Or tow it to the nearest restoration shop for a local repair? (My guess).

Or tow it to the factory for a factory repair? (What the owner would probably want).

[Descant]

ApS

As noted in your post, all speculation. You'd have to read the policy.

In the meantime, it really isn't the Hacker owner's policy that matters. The "guilty" party's liability insurance will be the settling payment. The owner's company may pay, but they will subrogate against the other party. No reason they can't be "generous" if that's the coverage i.e. replacement vs Actual Cash Value.

In most of these posts, I continue to be amazed at the hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars people pay for insurance and there is very little understanding of how insurance and liability really plays out.

Do you really know what you bought for insurance on your boat? Or if you damage somebody else's boat? Maybe you didn't do the damage, but you're the accused party? What does your insurance cover then?

[tis]

Originally Posted by ApS

If insurance covers this Hackercraft, will the insurance company offer a new Hackercraft?

From the Hackercraft factory in NY, their cheapest model starts at $235,000.

https://robbreport.com/motors/marine.../hacker-craft/

Or a replacement "previously-owned" Hackercraft--at $215,000?

https://hackerboat.com/boat/hull-519...YlN9Q10qzdoTxj

Or tow it to the nearest restoration shop for a local repair? (My guess).

Or tow it to the factory for a factory repair? (What the owner would probably want).

The boat was hauled back to the factory for repair. It was taken to the old boat repair shop on 28 first and then Hackercraft came and got it.

[Sue Doe-Nym]

What ever happened to the guy who caused the wreckage, then disappeared? Was he ever caught and charged?

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by Sue Doe-Nym

What ever happened to the guy who caused the wreckage, then disappeared? Was he ever caught and charged?

That entire thing got squashed pretty good...doubt anyone will ever hear anything...

Dan

[Dad207]

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?

[8gv]

What about leaving the scene of an accident?

If the owner were to tell the insurance company that it was stolen would they not require a police report?

If the boat "theft" were reported, would that potentially lead to a charge of filing a false report?

[dickiej]

How are people convinced by circumstantial evidence? A murder case, for example, with no witnesses, no self incrimination, no direct evidence, but damning circumstantial evidence? It happens all the time.

[FlyingScot]

Originally Posted by 8gv

What about leaving the scene of an accident?

If the owner were to tell the insurance company that it was stolen would they not require a police report?

If the boat "theft" were reported, would that potentially lead to a charge of filing a false report?

Lying on an insurance claim would be criminal. By there's no requirement to file a claim

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by Dad207

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?

No witnesses??....I saw pics online of everyone up close in the getaway boat taken that night at the accident scene! People witnessed the crash!

Look deeper into this guys background...you will see why nothing will come of it...

Dan

[ApS]

Originally Posted by codeman671

Chances are we have ALL seen the picture you are referring to. The one showing the port side of the boat with the bow numbers clearly depicted, the back of the guy that owns the Sea Ray with a gray shirt on, the guy in the blue tank top covering his face, and the woman in pink... It still amazes me that you think the 50' Sea Ray was airborne, landed and ended up grounded, but has such minimal damage to itself?

The image I saw may have been greatly enlarged. It displayed a boat amidship with three people. I'll ask to see it again.

Two things we DON'T know:

1) How much damage did the Searay take?

The Searay has a major structural keel of about 8 inches of depth. (Protecting its stern-thruster among other things).

2) What injuries may have been suffered?

The getaway boat apparently showed up promptly and transported some number of people away. That boat should have been impounded. The impounded Searay has yellow crime scene tape wrapped very carefully around the foredeck stanchions. MPs protecting blood evidence for DNA-matching?

One thing can be deduced from the crime scene:

The Searay hit a piling dock, possibly collecting small wood splinters in its propeller and keel--and fiberglass within the dock's planking. That dock stands "proud" of the water by about 16 inches. The Searay would have been clear of the water by the same measure--or more:

I'd call that "airborne", but some might call it something else.

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by ApS

The image I saw may have been greatly enlarged. It displayed a boat amidship with three people. I'll ask to see it again.

Two things we DON'T know:

1) How much damage did the Searay take?

The Searay has a major structural keel of about 8 inches of depth. (Protecting its stern-thruster among other things).

2) What injuries may have been suffered?

The getaway boat apparently showed up promptly and transported some number of people away. That boat should have been impounded. The impounded Searay has yellow crime scene tape wrapped very carefully around the foredeck stanchions. MPs protecting blood evidence for DNA-matching?

One thing can be deduced from the crime scene:

The Searay hit a piling dock, possibly collecting small wood splinters in its propeller and keel--and fiberglass within the dock's planking. That dock stands "proud" of the water by about 16 inches. The Searay would have been clear of the water by the same measure--or more:

I'd call that "airborne", but some might call it something else.

I have been to the dock in question…the Searay didn’t go over the dock, it went through it never leaving the water.

Dan

[LIforrelaxin]

What we have here is a play on words.... "airborne" to some means on thing well to others it means something totally different.

Had the searay been traveling fast enough to get Airborne by my definition, it wouldn't have come to rest where it did, it would also likely not have sustained so little damage... the inertia involved would have made for a complete different accident scene...

At a speed of 10-15 mph, that boat would have had enough inertia, to plow through the dock, shove the hacker craft underneath it, and eventually beach itself like it did...

Could it have come up out of the water as it did so before crushing the dock underneath it... Likely a little.... but that isn't airborne....

There is nothing about this accident that indicates speed or power had anything to do with it. It is likely in my opinion, that the boat was traveling at a reasonable speed, given the conditions.....

What is also obvious to me, is that the captain of the vessel, didn't keep a proper look out, or pay attention to his heading.... What lead to that well, we can speculate... but is it going to be provable... time will tell....

[TheTimeTraveler]

One thing to remember about this accident: It happened at night and boating conditions were likely pitch black..........