New Hampshire Law Blog

Authorities investigating the June 15th fatal Lake Winnipesaukee boating accident that killed one passenger and hospitalized another passenger and the driver are waiting for forensic results before forwarding the case to the county attorney.   Lt. Tim Dunleavy of the New Hampshire Marine Patrol said the department has completed its investigation of the June 15 crash that claimed the life of Stephanie Beaudoin, 34, of Meredith and critically injured the boat’s driver, Erica Blizzard, also 34, of Laconia.

 
The site of the crash, Diamond Island, is just off the deepest part of the lake.  It was pitch black and drizzling that night and locals say there was poor visibility.  Cause(s) of the accident have not been disclosed but Merrill Fay, owner of Fay’s Boat Yard, is quoted in an earlier newspaper article as saying, “If she had run into the island at 25 MPH she would have got bumped around a little but that’s all.”

Lt. Dunleavey expects the results from the last piece being tested will be received by the end of the month at which time the entire case will be handed to Belknap County Attorney James Carroll.  It will be his decision whether to file negligent homicide charges against Blizzard.

The New Hampshire Marine Patrol received a search warrant for the boat.  The affidavit filed in support of the warrant indicated that a passenger, Nicole Shinopules, had indicated that the three women had been drinking alcohol in Wolfeboro before the accident.

The warrant also indicates that personal belongings of the occupants were taken as evidence along with alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.  The warrant also authorized the taking of blood samples from Blizzard and indicates that the Marine Patrol had inspected the boat 3 times after the crash and obtained measurements of the boat’s extensive bow damage.   The investigators had also inspected all the boat’s controls and gauges as well as the engine, electrical and mechanical systems.

If Blizzard is  charged with negligent homicide, she could face three to seven years in prison.  If alcohol was involved the penalty could be seven to fifteen years.