Smith Mountain Lake Boating Accident - Driver Story Change??

Affidavit: Boat driver changed his story Janet Nguyen jnguyen@newsadvance.com August 24, 2005 The driver of a boat that struck and killed a local couple and their dog at Smith Mountain Lake on Saturday first told authorities he had taken medication but had not been drinking, then later said he had a glass of wine with dinner, according to a search warrant affidavit. Alcohol and speed were contributing factors in the crash, said Lt. Karl Martin of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. Mark F. Detournillon, 45, was going more than 60 mph in his Donzi high-performance speedboat when it ran into the back end of a cabin cruiser around 10 p.m. Saturday. Detournillon’s boat, which was equipped with two high performance engines, ran over the entire length of the 32-foot cabin cruiser, killing Lawrence and Judith Lewis and their dog, a miniature Dalmatian. Lawrence Lewis was 58 and his wife Judith was 59. The couple were both members of the Smith Mountain Lake Boating Association. Detournillon owns and operates Shoreline Marina, which was a sponsor at this year’s annual Tom Maynard Memorial Poker Run, Smith Mountain Lake’s biggest fundraiser, said Tom Curling, president of the Smith Mountain Lake Boating Association. According to a search warrant affidavit, Detournillon told a game warden after the accident that he had not consumed any alcohol but was taking the medication Guafesin, which aids with colds and coughs, and the pain relievers Lortab and Naprosyn. After Detournillon was taken to the emergency room at Bedford Memorial Hospital, he told the game warden that along with the medications, he had also drunk a glass of Merlot with dinner at Mariner’s Landing. The affidavit states that the odor of alcohol was detected on Detournillon at the scene of the accident and at the hospital. It is usually recommended that alcohol not be consumed while taking the medications Lortab and Naprosyn, said Michael Robertson, a pharmacist at Robertson Drug Co. Inc. Alcohol consumption can increase the drugs’ side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, slowed muscle reactions, light-headedness and mood changes, Robertson said. According to court records, Detournillon was convicted of reckless operation of a boat and eluding police last year. He was also fined a total of $1,250 in Franklin County General District Court in July 2004 for an incident on July 3, 2004. Martin said Tuesday the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries are still working with the Bedford commonwealth’s attorney and would not speculate on charges. “This is not something we take lightly,” Martin said. “Information is still coming in and we will exhaust every bit of information we get.” The game wardens will be reviewing 911 tapes from Bedford and Franklin County. “No stone will go unturned in dealing with this,” Martin said. “We are looking for people to step forward with information and we will definitely take them seriously.” Detournillon could not be reached for comment Tuesday. A Mass of Resurrection for Lawrence and Judith Lewis will begin at 1 p.m. Monday at Resurrection Catholic Church in Moneta. Arrangements are being handled by Tharp Funeral Home and Crematory.