Posted on 09/22/2009 10:31:45 PM PDT by Onerom99
LOCK HAVEN - The Clinton County district attorney has hired an expert in the field of boat crash reconstruction to probe the July 10 collision on the Susquehannna River that led to the death of a young Hublersburg girl.
District Attorney Michael F. Salisbury revealed the hiring Monday as the over two-month investigation continues.
Valerie Teresa Heidt, 12, of Hublersburg, was killed when boats operated by John Englert of Mill Hall and Bart Garlick of Lock Haven collided on the river about 7:30 p.m. that day.
The accident occurred about two miles above the Veterans Bridge.
An autopsy showed the youngster died of blunt force trauma.
In all, 10 people were involved in the boat crash, and most of them required some form of medical treatment, including hospitalization.
A passenger in Englert's boat, Barbara Hummer, was seriously injured, but has since been released from the hospital.
Five people were in the boat operated by Englert: Robert Jeirles, Health K. Allen, Todd Fowler, Hummer and Englert.
Garlick had three passengers, Heidt and two boys, and was pulling a skier, according to reports.
Salisbury said members of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, Bureau of Law Enforcement, have conducted dozens of interviews to date and have collected numerous pieces of physical evidence.
"The District Attorney's Office, with the assistance of the Clinton County commissioners, have retained the services of an expert in the field of boat crash reconstruction, who personally inspected the boats involved in the accident," Salisbury said.
"The expert also made an on-site visit to Clinton County and met with the district attorney on Friday," he added.
"Upon receipt of the expert's final report, law enforcement officials will meet to decide what, if any, criminal charges will result from the incident," Salisbury explained.
The collision of the two boats near the Woodward Township side of the river, across from Hanna Park, sparked an intensive investigation.
Salisbury did not say how long it would take to receive the final report.
The crash brought riverside campers and boaters scrambling and numerous emergency crews were dispatched to the area.
Word of the accident spread to the nearby Riverfest 2009, about two miles downriver, as emergency boats used the boat launch area there to gain access to the scene of the tragedy.
Those flying boats are trouble.
Thanks for the courtesy of remembering me on the ping...
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