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UPDATE: Oshkosh man appeared in court in connection to boat hit-and-run incident

Several were injured after powerboat crashed into paddleboat in Oshkosh and fled the scene
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Posted at 6:52 AM, Jul 13, 2022
and last updated 2022-07-13 19:52:27-04

UPDATE: The 52-year-old male suspect made his first court appearance on July 13, he appeared via video camera from inside the jail.

The court agreed to a cash bail of $10 thousand dollars with the conditions of absolute sobriety and compliance with a 24/7 alcohol program.

He was also ordered to not leave the state of Wisconsin and to surrender his passport.

According to the Winnebago County Sheriff's Office, the paddle boat carrying 43 passengers was severely damaged when a powerboat crashed into it. The total number of people injured has increased to 11.

One of the victims spoke out anonymously in court today saying "this has been a significant impact in our lives. Conditional and physical. There are many of us with injuries who were hurt and banged out. Not to mention the emotional part of this happening, we were having a good time (before the accident)."

A new court appearance date will be set after the criminal complaint is completed and filed.

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OSHKOSH, Wis. — Several people were injured when a powerboat crashed into a paddleboat in Winnebago County and then fled the scene on Saturday, July 9.

According to the Winnebago County Sheriff's Office, a commercial stern-wheel pleasure cruise paddleboat carrying 43 passengers was severely damaged when it was struck by a private 45-foot powerboat carrying seven people.

The paddleboat was able to make it safely to the shore of the Fox River. Several people on the paddleboat had some form of injury, the Sheriff's Office says.

The powerboat fled the scene after the crash. Several agencies searched boat landings and nearby private residences to find the powerboat, its owner, and additional occupants but had no luck.

On Tuesday, the Sheriff's Office said the owner and operator of the powerboat was identified as a 52-year-old Oshkosh man. He was arrested for 12 counts of recklessly endangering safety (second degree, felony), and 11 counts of failure to render aid after a boating accident (misdemeanor).

Anyone with additional information should contact the Winnebago County Sheriff's Office at 920-236-7316.