3 killed in boat crash at Smith Lake Major League Fishing tournament

Post by **WB Staff** » Wed Apr 16, 2025 11:59 pm

3 killed in boat crash on Smith Lake during Major League Fishing tournament

Mitch · Post by **Mitch** » Sun Apr 20, 2025 12:49 pm

Why is nobody wondering why the two that drowned were not wearing a PFD ?? As a guide, shouldn't that be a requirement for your clients ??

TonyM · Post by **TonyM** » Sun Apr 20, 2025 7:11 pm

Lots of conflicting info out there and until investigation is complete, we won’t know exactly, but most reports suggest the striper boat was stationary and fishing at the time of the collision. I have no problem with passengers taking their PFD off when the big motor is off.

Whoopbass · Post by **Whoopbass** » Sun Apr 20, 2025 8:01 pm

Mitch wrote: ↑Sun Apr 20, 2025 12:49 pm Why is nobody wondering why the two that drowned were not wearing a PFD ?? As a guide, shouldn't that be a requirement for your clients ??

Liberal mentality......How come they weren't wearing their N93 masks at the time????? They could have caught Covid
and died. And NO it's not a requirement to wear a PFD ever it's a choice.

jiggin4bass · Post by **jiggin4bass** » Sun Apr 20, 2025 8:08 pm

Flint Davis and MLF are in big trouble. Davis could be charged with manslaughter with those 3 deaths.

JVGondal · Post by **JVGondal** » Sun Apr 20, 2025 8:25 pm

Yes Big trouble. The fishing boat was anchored
There are some u tube of anglers who fished the event
If you look it up
I don’t want to repeat what I found

Whoopbass · Post by **Whoopbass** » Sun Apr 20, 2025 9:13 pm

jiggin4bass wrote: ↑Sun Apr 20, 2025 8:08 pm Flint Davis and MLF are in big trouble. Davis could be charged with manslaughter with those 3 deaths.

As he should be. MLF and there was an accident shortly after with the NPFL and they're both going to get sued out the Wazoo. We all may be fishing out of Kayak's after this.

drew · Post by **drew** » Mon Apr 21, 2025 7:07 am

This is not as cut and dry as many think. Both boats were under power and there are waterway laws that will be reviewed. In many states especially CA they look at these in a very comparative way which means all parties are responsible to some degree.

As long as Fint was not under the influence or had prior convictions for related crimes he will most likely not deal with any criminal penalties. It is very very sad. He will have to live with this for the rest of his life and I’m sure will deal with a civil case. In the end we will all pay for this at some level.

Whoopbass · Post by **Whoopbass** » Mon Apr 21, 2025 9:06 am

I thought the boats in both crashes were stopped and fishing. The NPFL accident they were and it sounds like the victims are going to sue everybody they can. If both boats were under power in the MLF crash then MLF shouldn't get hit too hard and Flint will stay out of jail. I guess the guide should have had them have their PFD's on but its not the law.

drew · Post by **drew** » Mon Apr 21, 2025 4:49 pm

What I heard, was that the father of the guide said his son started his boat engine to move it when he heard the tournament boats going by. He wanted to move it closer to the island for more protection.

I’m not sure someone can be charged criminally without there being at least gross negligence or one would have to break a law. Of course there is pre-meditated acts which I think we can all agree was probably not the case. I’m not an attorney, but have been a plaintiff in a serious motor vehicle accident.

Just an FYI it is rare that a court will award over one’s liability insurance. This is a special case and the families will fight very hard on their loved one’s behalf not to mention the survivors will be big adversaries so it possible that anything could happen.