UPDATE: An arrest has been made in connection with a boat collision last weekend on the Fox River in Oshkosh.
The Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office identified the driver of a 45-foot powerboat as 52-year-old Jason Lindemann of Oshkosh. Reports indicate that Lindemann struck a commercial stern-wheel pleasure cruise paddleboat on July 9, causing severe damage and injuring several of the 43 passengers and crew. While the paddleboat made it safely to shore, Lindemann fled the scene, making no attempt to render any aid to the paddleboat or its occupants.
Lindemann was taken into custody on Tuesday after an extended search for him to no avail on Saturday night and Sunday. Officers finally made contact with him on Monday. He is currently charged with 12 counts of Recklessly Endangering Safety – 2nd Degree, which is a Class-G Felony, and 11 misdemeanor counts of Failure to Render Aid After a Boating Accident.
The incident remains under investigation as authorities still seek to identify two of the seven powerboat occupants.
Answers are only slowly coming in as Winnebago County Sheriff’s Investigators continue their search for what caused two boats to collide on the Fox River in Oshkosh.
The Sheriff received reports at about 9 p.m. Saturday of a collision between a commercial stern-wheel pleasure cruise paddleboat with 43 passengers and crew aboard, and a 45-foot powerboat occupied by seven. The accident, which occurred between the Oregon Street bridge and the Wisconsin Street bridge, sent one person to the hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries, and required another six getting treatment at the scene. Witnesses and surveillance video shows that the 45-foot powerboat struck the paddleboat causing severe damage to the port side, and then fled the scene.
The powerboat was located on Sunday, and on Monday the Sheriff reported having contacted its owner and two passengers. The remaining passengers are still being sought as the investigation continues.
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