Man Facing Intoxication Manslaughter for Lake Fork Fatal Boat Crash

AUSTIN – An investigation by Texas Game Wardens into a fatal boat crash on Lake Fork in July led to an arrest warrant this week for the boat’s operator on felony intoxication manslaughter charges.

On the afternoon of July 9, game wardens responded to a one boat wreck on Lake Fork involving two Wood County fishermen. Both occupants of the vessel were ejected during the crash. The boat operator, David Michael Roche, 45, was arrested on suspicion of Boating While Intoxicated. Lab test results indicated Roche had a BAC (blood alcohol content) level of .168, more than double the legal limit, at the time of the incident.

The body of the other fisherman, Donald Bryant Lawson, 45, was recovered by game wardens the following morning.

An arrest warrant was issued for Roche this week following a thorough investigation by local game wardens and the game warden crime scene accident reconstruction team. Roche turned himself in to the Wood County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday. The case is pending in the Wood County District Attorney’s Office.

Source TPWD