Conflicting stories on fatal collision
TORONTO — Death came calling as fireworks glittered over a glassy Muskoka lake.
And now, pointed questions are being directed at celebrity entrepreneur Kevin O’leary whose boat was involved in the fatal Saturday night crash that claimed two lives on Lake Joseph.
Cops say Uxbridge mother of three Suzana Brito, 48, died Monday from catastrophic head injuries.
Brito was still breathing and kept alive, sources told the Toronto Sun, so her organs could be harvested.
Retired accountant Gary Poltash, 64, who lives in Florida, was killed instantly.
He had been friends with the owner of the other boat for years, his brother told the Sun.
The horrific crash happened around 11:30 p.m., near Emerald Island.
It wasn’t until gossip website TMZ revealed details about the crash on Tuesday night that the OPP and the former Dragon’s Den star made statements.
O’leary was quick to get ahead of the narrative after initially declining to comment because of the “ongoing investigation.”
“Late Saturday night I was a passenger in a boat that had a tragic collision with another craft that had no navigation lights on and then fled the scene of the accident. I am fully cooperating with authorities,” he said in a carefully-crafted statement.
“Out of respect for the families who have lost loved ones and to fully support the ongoing investigation, I feel it is inappropriate to make further comments at this time. My thoughts are with all the families affected.”
The entrepreneur has claimed his wife was behind the wheel of the boat.
The other boat was not fleeing, sources told the Sun , but racing to shore to get desperately-needed medical assistance for two critically injured passengers.
A Brito family member — who spoke on condition of anonymity — claimed that it was O’leary who fled the scene of the crash and that his boat was later found docked at a nearby resort.
The distraught relative said the family is also wondering how long after the crash that O’leary’s wife was given a breathalyzer.
Another person who knows some of the people who were on the other boat said they are “pissed” about the businessman’s seemingly aggressive PR campaign.
“Kevin’s boat was flying with the bow up and probably obscured the view of the front of his boat,” the friend said, adding that O’leary is “overselling” his side of the story.
Linda O’leary, who had posted photos from Lake Joseph earlier this month, changed her Instagram settings to private on Wednesday. A spokesman for Kevin O’leary said she passed a drug and alcohol test.
According to investigators, the two dead victims were on a 13-person craft returning to a nearby cottage after a pleasure cruise when it was allegedly struck by O’leary’s boat.
Three others were treated in hospital and released.
“I can’t speak on it,” O’leary told the Sun late Tuesday. “Sorry, I don’t think there’s been any release of that information, so I have no comment. Sorry. Thanks.”
Sources said the O’leary craft was later docked at the Rocky Crest Golf Resort. The general manager refused to comment and directed inquiries to the OPP.
An employee at Hamer Bay Marina employee was equally tight-lipped.
West Parry Sound OPP Const. Joe Scali said the police investigation is continuing.
“Actually, both boats did leave the scene ... both boats left the scene to contact emergency services. Ambulance received 911 calls from the parties of both boats,” Scali said.
He refused to reveal whether one of the boats docked at Rocky Crest Gold Resort.
“We understand how much the media requires information and we’re doing our best and appreciate your patience,” he added. “Pending full investigation, then we’ll determine if charges are warranted.”
O’leary is well-known as a former bombastic “Dragon” on CBC’S Dragons’ Den and previously co-hoste d The Lang and O’leary Exchange.
On Tuesday, it was business as usual for O’leary who appeared on business network CNBC.