Man Sentenced to 12 Months for Fatal Lake Constance Boat Collision

A 26-year-old man has been sentenced to 12 months in prison, eight of which are suspended, for grossly negligent homicide after a fatal boat collision on Lake Constance last October. The court's jury unanimously decided against a murder charge, finding the defendant guilty of gross negligence.

The incident involved a collision between the defendant's seven-ton motorboat and a sailboat belonging to a German couple. The motorboat went over the sailboat, striking the 57-year-old female sailor with its propeller, causing her to fall into the water and subsequently die. Her husband sustained serious injuries.

During the trial, the defense presented a different account than in the initial proceedings. While the defendant initially claimed to have been focused on steering, his lawyer stated he was distracted by conversations with his three passengers and handling his mobile phone. The defendant admitted he was not looking forward at the time of the accident. He explained his earlier statement was based on advice from his previous lawyer.

The court's decision was influenced by a new expert report, differing from one used in an earlier trial that had contributed to the murder charge. The initial report suggested the sailboat had been visible for minutes and the motorboat was traveling significantly over the speed limit. However, the new assessment considered that the sailboat might not have been visible in photos taken just minutes before the crash, and the speed was uncertain, ranging between 30 and 60 km/h. The sentence is not yet legally binding.