Families Of Passengers Killed In Lake Of The Ozarks Boat Crash Sue Driver, Owner

CAMDEN COUNTY, Mo. — The families of two people who were killed in a nighttime boat crash on Lake of the Ozarks are suing the owner of the boat, who survived the crash, and a representative for the driver, who was killed.

In short, the plaintiffs say the driver, Daniel Lewis, was drunk when the 1991 Regal runabout hit a rock bluff at the 47.5 Mile Marker, and they say Lewis as well as the boat’s owner, Hayden Frazier, are responsible for the deaths of Joseph Lemark and Hailey Hochanadel.

The case has been filed in Camden County, and the families have asked for a jury trial.

The crash was a devastating one: authorities say the boat was badly damaged, and according to the lawsuit filing documents, the throttle was in the maximum forward position. Lewis was intoxicated and had other illegal substances in his system, the lawsuit claims.

Frazier and passenger Ashley Lamb were injured, but survived the crash. The suit places blame on Frazier since he owned the boat and had allegedly entrusted its operation to Lewis. The suit alleges Frazier breached his “duty to exercise reasonable care to protect his passengers” by allowing Lewis to drive the boat when he knew or should have known Lewis was intoxicated. “Frazier, as principal, is liable for… Lewis’ negligent and careless operation of the Boat,” the suit claims.

Attorney Nich Hinrichs has been named as the Defendent Ad Litem for Lewis.