The Flathead County attorney said Friday that felony charges will not be filed in the case of a fatal boat crash on Flathead Lake that killed a Whitefish man.
Travis Wickum, 26, died after his 17-foot boat was struck by a 19-foot boat after dark on the Fourth of July.
Attorney Ed Corrigan said recently returned toxicology reports show alcohol was not a factor in the crash. Wickum had no alcohol in his system and the driver of the larger boat had a blood alcohol content of 0.02, well below the legal limit.
Corrigan said it would be up to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks wardens to decide whether lesser violations would be written.
An investigation determined that the larger boat, which was traveling between 25 mph and 30 mph at the time of the crash, was carrying 10 people. The recommended capacity on such a boat is eight people.
Meanwhile, the red and green bow lights on Wickum’s boat were not functioning at the time of the crash.
Wickum died at the scene. His wife was injured, but his two daughters, ages 5 and 3, were not hurt.