magstang1
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http://www.thetimesherald.com/story...-boat-operator-harsens-island-crash/17051549/
Warrant authorized for boat operator in Harsens Island crash
A warrant has been authorized for a 32-year-old Chesterfield Township man involved in a fatal boat crash near Harsens Island on Aug. 3.
St. Clair County Prosecutor Mike Wendling said Brandon Michael Verfaillie is facing charges of two counts of operating while intoxicated causing death, a 15-year felony, and one count of operating while intoxicated causing serious injury, a 5-year felony.
Wendling said Verfaillie was the operator of a boat involved in the crash that killed two people in the St. Clair River's South Channel.
The St. Clair County Sheriff Department has said Robert Koontz, 57, of Chesterfield Township and Nancy Axford, 68, of Winnipeg, Manitoba, were killed when a 25-foot Baja power boat rode up and over the cabin cruiser they were on.
Wendling said his office has been waiting for toxicology results to see what Verfaillie's blood alcohol content was at the time of the crash.
Jim Simasko, a lawyer with offices in Mount Clemens and Fort Gratiot, said he filed a claim a couple of weeks ago against Verfaillie and Amanda Krogulec, who Simasko said is the owner of the vessel.
He filed the claim on behalf of the estate of Robert Koontz and his wife, Marlene Koontz, who Simasko said suffered lifelong injuries in the crash.
Simasko said he's asking for civil remedies to pay for medical bills, pain, suffering, lost income and support.
"No amount of money could cover what they went through," Simasko said.
"They're still suffering and still in shock from what was supposed to be an enjoyable day on the lake."
Simasko said Verfaillie and Krogulec have 21 days from the time they were served to answer the claim.
Warrant authorized for boat operator in Harsens Island crash
A warrant has been authorized for a 32-year-old Chesterfield Township man involved in a fatal boat crash near Harsens Island on Aug. 3.
St. Clair County Prosecutor Mike Wendling said Brandon Michael Verfaillie is facing charges of two counts of operating while intoxicated causing death, a 15-year felony, and one count of operating while intoxicated causing serious injury, a 5-year felony.
Wendling said Verfaillie was the operator of a boat involved in the crash that killed two people in the St. Clair River's South Channel.
The St. Clair County Sheriff Department has said Robert Koontz, 57, of Chesterfield Township and Nancy Axford, 68, of Winnipeg, Manitoba, were killed when a 25-foot Baja power boat rode up and over the cabin cruiser they were on.
Wendling said his office has been waiting for toxicology results to see what Verfaillie's blood alcohol content was at the time of the crash.
Jim Simasko, a lawyer with offices in Mount Clemens and Fort Gratiot, said he filed a claim a couple of weeks ago against Verfaillie and Amanda Krogulec, who Simasko said is the owner of the vessel.
He filed the claim on behalf of the estate of Robert Koontz and his wife, Marlene Koontz, who Simasko said suffered lifelong injuries in the crash.
Simasko said he's asking for civil remedies to pay for medical bills, pain, suffering, lost income and support.
"No amount of money could cover what they went through," Simasko said.
"They're still suffering and still in shock from what was supposed to be an enjoyable day on the lake."
Simasko said Verfaillie and Krogulec have 21 days from the time they were served to answer the claim.