Shark Tank star Kevin O’Leary was involved in a fatal boat accident on Lake Joseph in Ontario, Canada late Saturday, August 23. The accident occurred shortly before midnight when O’Leary’s boat rammed into a larger boat on the lake. One man died immediately on the scene while a woman passed away after being critically injured, according to TMZ.
The deceased passengers have been identified as 48-year-old Susanne Brito and 64-year-old Gary Poltash.
O’Leary says that the other boat involved in the accident did not have on proper navigation lights which made the boat nearly invisible to others on the lake. Operators of the other boat dispute their claim about the navigation lights, however.
“Late Saturday night I was a passenger in a boat that had a tragic collision with another craft that had no navigation lights on and then fled the scene of the accident. I am fully cooperating with authorities,” O’Leary said in a statement.
“Out of respect for the families who have lost loved ones and to fully support the ongoing investigation, I feel it is inappropriate to make further comments at this time. My thoughts are with all the families affected.”
The boat was being driven by O’Leary’s wife at the time of the accident. She was administered a DUI test and passed. There are conflicting reports as to which boat fled the scene, with some claiming O’Leary fled. However, his representative clarified to TMZ that it was the other boat that fled the scene.
O’Leary reportedly has video footage of the lake at the time of the crash which he is hoping to get enhanced to prove his side of the story.
That is all the information that is available at this time. This article will be updated with new and relevant information should it become available at any time. If there is anything that we missed, please feel free to send an email to editor@teamcoed.com and we will respond as soon as possible.