Fatal B.C. boat collision leads to criminal charges
Criminal charges have been laid in connection with a July 2010 boating collision in which a man died on Shuswap Lake, B.C., police say.
Leon Michael Reinbrecht, has been charged with criminal negligence causing death and criminal negligence causing bodily harm, RCMP said Thursday.
Police allege his a six-metre powerboat slammed head-on into a 12-metre houseboat shortly after a fireworks display the night of July 3, killing houseboat owner Ken Brown, 53, of Anglemount, B.C.
The powerboat ended up wedged into the deck of the houseboat and eight other people were injured in the incident.
"It's alleged that Mr. Reinbrecht was at the helm of the speedboat at the time of the collision," said Cpl. Dan Moskaluk. "For our officers that attended, along with other first responder emergency crews, it was certainly a surreal and tragic scene that they came upon."
Family glad to see charges laid
Brown's sister Patricia Oliver was on the Shuswap Lake the night of the accident. She says activity on the lake was chaotic leading up to the crash.
"It was amazing to watch the people that were just flying out of that area, just full speed."
She says her brother was aware of the dangers, and waited before going out on the water with a houseboat full of people.
"And I always think - maybe if he didn't wait that 15 minutes -- it would have been a different story. But he was trying to be safe," said Oliver.
"He had a pretty big heart, he gave to a lot of people. It was just really unfortunate what happened. Life was taken away from him too quickly, but he was very happy and everything was going really well for him," said Oliver.
She says her family is glad to see charges finally laid in the case, but they would have liked to see more charges against the accused.
Police believe alcohol played a factor in the crash, but Reinbrecht has not been charged with any alcohol-related offences.
Oliver says she hopes others take a lesson from the needless death of a good man.
"When you go out and have fun, think about the people around you when you drink. And don't be scared to ask somebody to drive you home Just be safe."
Reinbrecht, 49, is scheduled to appear in court in Kamloops Jan. 19, 2012.