OKOBOJI * A $7,500 reward is being offered by the Iowa Great Lakes Safety Council for information resulting in the arrest and conviction of the operator of a boat involved in a fatal hit-and-run collision early Friday morning on West Lake Okoboji.
Michael Joseph Brosnahan, 51, of Perry, was killed and his wife, Jill Denise Brosnahan, 50, was injured in the boating collision that took place at approximately 2 a.m. Friday. The boat they were in was struck from behind by another vessel that fled the scene.
“We are continuing to follow up on leads as we get them and we are carefully analyzing the evidence left behind on the boat that we have,” said Gary Owen, DNR conservation officer.
Because boating incidents lack other types of physical evidence such as skid marks left behind in a traffic accident, eye witness accounts become that much more important in boat cases, said Owen.
The DNR and Dickinson County Sheriff’s Department are looking for a predominately white boat with two red stripes approximately 6-8 inches wide and one foot apart. The boat is believed to be at least 22 feet long.
The public is asked to be particularly observant of any boats meeting the description that may not have been returned to its normal parking place such as boat slip or driveway or has recently shown signs of damage on or near the keel. The damages may not be extensive based on the fact the boat was able to leave the scene.
The reward money being offered shows the resolve of the Iowa Great Lakes Water Safety Council and citizens in the community to ensure that recreational safety in the region continues to be a top priority, according to Steve Dulin of the council.
“We have many people here who take water safety quite seriously and we all want to see that the person or people involved in this tragic case are brought to justice,” Dulin said.
Donations can be sent to:
THE IOWA GREAT LAKES WATER SAFTEY COUNCIL REWARD FUND.
C/O BANK MIDWEST
PO BOX 248
1525 18TH ST.
SPIRIT LAKE, IA. 51360
ATTN: MICKEY HARRINGTON
For any questions regarding the reward fund, contact Steve Dulin at 712-320-2220.
Anyone with information on this incident is asked to call Gary Owen of the Iowa DNR at 712-260-1018 or the Dickinson County Sheriff’s Department at 712-336-2525.
