Boat had lights on when it was hit by vessel operated by Linda O'Leary, witness says
A boat carrying a group of stargazers on a central Ontario lake had its lights on when it was struck by another boat captained by Linda O'Leary nearly two years ago, court heard Tuesday from a witness who was also charged in the crash.
Richard Ruh told an Ontario court the boat he was aboard had its navigation lights -- a white overhead light and two green and red lights on the bow -- on at the time of the late-night crash that killed two people.
He said the boat's control panel, which also provides some light, was on as well.
Whether the boat, a 16-seat Nautique, had its lights on has been a point of contention in the case.
Court has viewed security footage of the lake that night, but when asked Tuesday if the clips showed the lights were on, Ruh pointed instead to his own recollection.
"I know that I was on the boat, and the lights were on on my boat," he said.
During cross-examination, however, a lawyer for the defence asked Ruh if he was aware that a police expert's report on the collision came to the conclusion that it occurred because the Nautique did not have the appropriate lights on. The doctor said he was not familiar with the report or its contents.
Linda O'Leary leaves a Parry Sound courthouse on Tues. June 15, 2021 (Mike Arsalides/CTV News)
Court has heard Ruh had taken over operating the boat that belonged to his friend Irv Edwards while they went out stargazing on Lake Joseph with a group on Aug. 24, 2019. The outing was meant to cap off a dinner party hosted by Edwards, court heard.
Ruh, a family doctor who lives in Buffalo, N.Y., but rents a cottage near the lake, said the craft had been still for some time and had its engine off when he saw lights from an oncoming boat.
"I can remember thinking to myself, 'it's coming,"' he testified, noting the other boat appeared to be moving fast.
Seconds later, he said, their boat was struck by another vessel -- a crash that caused the deaths of Gary Poltash, 64, from Florida, and Suzana Brito, 48, from Uxbridge, Ont. Three people were also injured.
O'Leary, who is the wife of celebrity businessman and politician Kevin O'Leary, has pleaded not guilty to a charge of careless operation of a vessel under the Canada Shipping Act.
An agreed statement of facts read in court Monday said she was at the helm when the collision took place. Her husband was also aboard.
The Public Prosecution Service of Canada initially said a conviction could involve a jail sentence and a maximum fine of a million dollars, but later said there was no jail time associated with the charge and the maximum fine is $10,000.
Ruh was also charged with one count of failing to exhibit a navigation light while underway.
He told the court Tuesday he was issued a ticket, which he said he contested for more than a year before paying the $125 fine and signing an attestation of "neither innocence nor guilt."
The doctor said he is also named as a defendant in six lawsuits related to the collision.
In his testimony Tuesday, he recalled scanning the boat to see if anyone was hurt in the aftermath of the crash.
Tearing up at moments, Ruh described seeing Poltash with a "deadly skull fracture" and Brito with blood on her lips. Both had been at the front of the boat, court has heard.
Linda O'Leary and Kevin O'Leary arrive at the American Music Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Jordan Strauss/Invision)
The doctor said he administered mouth-to-mouth to Brito and continued to do so as the boat headed back towards the marina. There were a few moments where she managed to breathe on her own, but she quickly needed aid again, he said.
Poltash died when they arrived on shore, while Brito was taken to hospital by ambulance, he said. She died a few days later.
Kevin O'Leary, the former star of the popular CBC show "Dragons' Den," also stars in the ABC show "Shark Tank." He briefly sought the leadership of the federal Conservatives in 2017.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 15, 2021.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Asking rent prices up 9.3% across Canada, Ontario sees only decline: report
A new report says the average asking rent for a home in Canada in April was up 9.3 per cent compared with a year ago, while a slight month-over-month increase was also recorded for the first time since January.
What is basic income, and how would it impact me?
Parliamentarians are considering a pair of bills aiming to lift people out of poverty through a basic income program, but some fear these types of systems could result in more taxes for Canadians who are already financially struggling.
'I may have some nightmares:' Man survives being bitten by 2 sharks in Bahamas
A man who was bitten by two sharks in the Bahamas said Thursday he's 'thankful that I'm here' while sharing his story of survival.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
Mexico's president accuses press and volunteer searchers for missing people of 'necrophilia'
The administration of Mexico's president has accused the press and volunteer searchers who look for the bodies of missing people of 'necrophilia,' comments that drew criticism this week.
Rare severe solar storm Friday could bring spectacular aurora light show across Canada
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Out-of-control wildfire burning near Fort McMurray
As of 9 a.m. on Friday, the wildfire burning 28 kilometres southwest of the northeastern Alberta city was 25 hectares in size.
WATCH Expecting an interest rate cut in June? Don't bet on it after new jobs data
Canada's labour market rebounded in April, adding more than 90,000 jobs, a staggering number of new positions after four consecutive months of little change.
Prince William says wife Kate is 'doing well'
Prince William said on Friday his wife Kate was 'doing well' in a rare public comment about the Princess of Wales as she undergoes preventative chemotherapy for cancer.