Shark Tank Star’s Wife Charged for Two Deaths in a Fatal Boat Crash
According to the statement from the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), the wife of “Shark Tank” star and brazen businessman Kevin O’Leary was responsible for the fatal boating crash in Ontario, Canada, which left two people dead and three injured.
What Happened on the Night of the Double-Fatal Boat Crash
The tragic collision happened last August 24 when 56-year-old Linda O’Leary, was driving the boat on Lake Joseph when it rammed into a larger vessel, flipped over its bow, and struck a man in the head. The officials identified the first victim from the hit vessel as a 64-year-old retired accountant, Gary Poltash, who died immediately at the scene after getting hit on the head. The second victim from the same boat was Susanne Brito, a 48-year-old Canadian and a mother of three, who sustained critical brain trauma and later on succumbed to her injuries after two days in the hospital.
The police obtained a copy of five videos from surveillance cameras that showed Linda O’Leary was driving the boat at 17 mph before midnight. According to the police, the outlet is not a safe speed. Kevin O’Leary and watercraft were on board with Linda O’Leary when it crashed.
Kevin O’Leary has claimed that the other boat involved in the accident did not have lights on, which caused the crash. After further investigation, the Ontario Provincial Police charged the operator of the other vessel, Richard Ruh of Orchard Park New York, for “failing to exhibit navigation lights while underway.”
There was a dispute over who left the scene after the accident. In the wake of the tragedy, Kevin O’Leary was quick out of the dock doing damage control. Through his spokesman, he issued a brief statement after the crash that disputed the claim of a source that it was their boat that fled after the accident, saying that it was the other vessel with no navigational lights that left first. The male O’Leary also claimed that it was not him who was piloting the boat at the time but his wife. He did not want to go into any detail to fully support the ongoing investigation and out of respect for the victims and their families who lost their loved ones.
What Charges Would Linda O’Leary Face?
Meanwhile, Linda O’Leary passed the DUI test that the cops gave her at the scene. Since the Canada Shipping Act is a federal responsibility, the Ontario Provincial Police revealed that the Public Prosecution Service of Canada (PPSC) would manage the ensuing court procedures. Sgt. Carolle Dione, media relations from OPP, stated that the Linda O’Leary should make an initial court appearance in Parry Sound on October 29. The officials initially said that the charges, upon conviction, would mean a maximum of 18 months in jail or a $1 million fine. But based on recent reports, Linda O’Leary is now facing a reduced fine of $10,000 with no jail time since PPSC has reconsidered the position. For Richard Ruh, the police said that he would not need to appear before the court since he has a lesser charge.
