Monday, August 22, 2005

Boat believed to be the one Seized - But operator still unidentified in Brosnahan Okoboji Lake incident-

Officers seize boat suspected in deadly accident By AMANDA O'TOOLE REGISTER STAFF WRITER August 22, 2005 Authorities said Saturday that they have seized a boat believed to be involved in a hit-and-run accident that killed a Dallas County dentist earlier this month on West Okoboji Lake. No arrests have been made, and investigators would not disclose whether they have located the boat's owner or determined who was at the controls Aug. 12 when Michael Brosnahan, 51, of Perry was killed. Police had asked for the public's help to find a boat they said struck a 22-foot craft carrying Brosnahan, his wife and four others, then fled. Dickinson County Sheriff Greg Baloun said Michael Brosnahan was struck by the part of the boat that contains the gears and propeller. Jill Brosnahan, 50, suffered broken bones and cuts on her face. The other passengers were unhurt. Jill Brosnahan was released Thursday from a Sioux Falls, S.D., hospital. Officers said the suspect boat was taken from West Okoboji Lake about 11 p.m. Friday. Authorities would not describe the boat or confirm whether it was damaged. It was taken to an unidentified location to be examined, said Department of Public Safety spokesman Jim Saunders. Tests will be conducted this week to help determine if there is a link to the Aug. 12 accident, said Kevin Baskins of the Department of Natural Resources. "We're looking for anything and everything that is relevant," he said. Investigators said they received more than 100 tips from the public, but would not comment on whether it was a tip that led them to the boat seized Friday. "There's a lot of work to be done yet," said Saunders, who credited "good old-fashioned police work." A $25,000 reward for information in the case has not been paid. Relatives are pleased with the investigation so far, said Julie Burns, Jill Brosnahan's sister. "Jill is one of the strongest people you will ever meet," she said. "She's doing the best she can right now." Visitation for Brosnahan is from 1 to 9 p.m. today at the Carris Family Funeral Home in Perry. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Monday at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in West Des Moines.

No comments: