O'LEARY CRASH: Answers in Muskoka tragedy could be 'weeks or months' away
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Answers in the tragic Muskoka boat crash involving celebrity entrepreneur Kevin O’Leary that left two people dead could be “weeks or even months” away, one policing expert said.
University of Western Ontario criminology professor Michael Arntfield, a former cop, has been a frequent critic of the OPP’s secretive nature.
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Not this time.
“I’ll give them a pass on this,” Arntfield told The Toronto Sun.
On Aug. 24, two boats collided on Lake Joseph — located 210 kilometres north of Toronto, near Gravenhurst — after an evening of fireworks. Gary Poltash, 64, a retired accountant and father of two from Florida, was killed instantly.
Two days later, Uxbridge mother of three Suzana Brito, 48, died of catastrophic injuries in hospital.
O’Leary’s spokesman said the businessman’s wife was driving the boat and that she had passed a drug and alcohol test. The Shark Tank star claimed the second boat “fled” the scene that the vessel didn’t have navigational lights on.
Friends of the dead are disputing the brash businessman’s narrative.
Police have not commented on the navigational lights but confirmed both boats left the scene — reportedly to get medical attention.
“This is very high profile and they’re going to be very careful,” Arntfield said. “It’s not just the potentially political nature of the incident, these types of investigations are unbelievably complex.”
Arntfield said the computers from the boats would be downloaded to determine speed and other factors. And because the crash was on the water, it makes things like the “rules of physics” much harder.
“The crash can’t be replicated,” Arnfield said.
In addition, he said the investigation will reveal where everyone involved in the crash was seated at the time of impact.
“Some of that will be based on injuries but it will be a scientific certainty and you can be certain the OPP will bring in outside experts,” he said.
“Answers are weeks or even months away.”
Arntfield added that police seldom reveal much information in fatal collisions unless and until charges are laid.
O’Leary has reportedly engaged famed Toronto criminal lawyer Brian Greenspan. The legal eagle did not return messages from the Sun on whether he was repping the former Dragon’s Den star.
Meanwhile, O’Leary’s money roadshow is rolling on.
The money-loving mogul was back on the TV circuit three days after the fatal boat crash giving investor advice on CNBC.
Later that day, gossip website TMZ broke the news O’Leary’s boat was involved in the accident.
Just several days following the horrific tragedy, he was in Englewood, N.J., for a live event pitching his path to riches.
This week, he is in the Detroit area for a series of “free” events where he offers financial advice and his philosophy on investing.
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