Driver identified in July 30 boat crash
(Courtesy photo) Don Sausser of Coeur d’Alene took this photo of the Coeur d’Alene Fire Boat at 10 p.m. July 30, 2016, as it transported victims of a two-boat collision to the Third Street docks. Three people died.
Several survivors of last summer’s deadly boat crash on Lake Coeur d’Alene are accused of lying to investigators about who was driving the boat they were in.
On Monday, six months after the July 30 collision which claimed the lives of three people aboard a stationary motorboat, the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office identified Dennis D. Magner, 51, of Spokane, as the driver of the moving vessel.
Four of the five people on Magner’s boat, including Magner, initially provided false information about the identity of the boat’s driver, said a news release from the sheriff’s office.
“In the days following the crash, information became public that three people were missing and presumed drowned,” the news release said. “It was then that three of the occupants aboard Magner’s boat recanted their original statements to deputies and identified Magner as the person actually operating the vessel at the time of the crash.”
Investigators allege Magner was driving a 2011 Mastercraft with four passengers — Jonathan C. Sweat, 40, Spokane; Alejanero M. Gutierriz, 33, Arlington, Wash.; Skye S. Neversorry, 24, Spokane; and Paige L. Archer, 25, of Hayden — which crashed into the other boat around 9:15 p.m. near Stevens Point.
Justin Honken, 21, Post Falls; Justin Luhr, 34, Medical Lake; and Caitlin Breeze, 21, Spokane, were recovered from the bottom of the lake four days later.
The sheriff’s office released the names of the five occupants on Magner’s boat five days later, but did not identify the driver until Monday.
Sheriff’s office detectives have forwarded the case to the Kootenai County Prosecuting Attorney to consider “a variety of criminal charges.” No additional information will be released by the sheriff’s office until the prosecutor’s office makes a final determination on those charges.
“Investigators have worked diligently to gather the facts and untangle the events that led to the crash the night of July 30,” said the release. “The sheriff’s office would like to thank the families and the community for their patience as it remains a tragedy for those who have lost loved ones in this crash.”