(WKYT) – Criminal and civil investigations continue into a fatal Fourth of July boating crash on Herrington Lake that killed a 25-year-old man and sent his father to the hospital with serious injuries.
A wake boat and pontoon boat collided on July 4, killing Nazar Svintozelskiy. His father, Alex, was hospitalized with serious injuries. Nazar’s body was recovered two days later.
Criminal investigation
The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources and the Mercer County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office are leading the criminal probe.
According to Fish and Wildlife, search warrants have been issued and executed, witnesses have been interviewed, and evidence has been sent for testing.
Investigators are not releasing additional information at this time to avoid compromising the integrity of the investigation.
Further information will be released when it is legally appropriate to do so.
Civil investigation
On the civil side, attorney Justin Peterson of Justin Peterson Law is representing Svintozelskiy’s family. Peterson said he has spoken with more than 50 people in connection with the crash.
“I’ve interviewed, personally, over 50 people who have come forward with information,” Peterson said. “I’ve interviewed anybody from eyewitnesses to anyone who had testimony for things that were going on throughout the day.”
Peterson said he intends to let the criminal investigation move forward before filing a civil lawsuit. Under Kentucky law, he has one year from his appointment to file suit.
“Whenever there is a case that has potential criminal and civil aspects to it — as the civil attorney, I do like to see where criminal matters go first,” Peterson said. “I think it’s really important. I think it’s important in the public eye that there’s some type of criminal accountability.”
Peterson said the family’s goal is to understand what happened, not to seek retribution.
“They didn’t come to me with vengeance,” Peterson said. “They want answers. We know what happened because of the eyewitnesses — but they want to know why it happened.”
Peterson also thanked the public for coming forward with information and calling for justice.