Action 3 News - Omaha, Nebraska News, Weather, and Sports | Driver of Boat Breaks Silence About Horrific Tubing Accident
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Douglas County, NE: A deadly water accident on a lake near 252nd and Pacific claims the life of a young woman. The horiffic accident happened a couple of weeks ago. For the first time we hear from the man at the center of the investigation. Todd Spangler drove the boat that day, he says the images of Jenifer Dwyer and his wife skidding across the water will never go away.
Emotions run high for Todd Spangler as the 30 year-old breaks his silence about the tragic boating accident with best friends John and Jennifer Dwyer. An accident that has severely injured his wife, Kimberly.
Holding his hands firm and clutching back tears, Spangler reflects saying, "Why is it we go from one second from having the most wonderful day of the summer, sharing it with our best friends and family to the next minute of not not ever wanting to think about what just happened ever again?"
Spangler and his wife, Kimberly, had enjoyed an afternoon with John and Jennifer before deciding to take the boat around the lake. "We wanted to go a little faster in order to be able to go around the corners and for the girls to be able to hang on with both hands," he says. Spangler tells me he has been boating for several years and driving one was not unusual.
Spangler estimates he was driving about 14 to 16 miles per hour as they round the cove to go home. Like pictures, he says, "I see the girls fall off the tube and just keep skidding. Skidding almost like a rock, like a stone that you throw in water."
The two women skid nearly 100 feet before slamming into a dock. A medical helicopter rushes both women to the hospital. Jennifer suffered severe internal injuries and later died. Kimberly has severe back, shoulder and internal injuries.
The Douglas County Sheriff reports Spanglers blood alcohol level was .168 which is twice the legal limit. When Action 3 News asked the 30 year-old if he would often drink alcohol before boating he says, "We would never drink before we go out on the lake. If we would go out on the boat we would have maybe a beer with us or a mix drink with us."
For now Todd Spangler focuses on helping his wife to heal and waits to hear what punishment if any he'll receive. Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine says he's waiting to receive the report from investigators. He may decide if Spangler will face any charges by Monday.
Reported By: Liz Dorland; ldorland@action3news.com
