Portland man presumed dead after boat collision
Prosecutors have charged a Tacoma, Washington, man with watercraft homicide and watercraft assault after a two-boat collision that critically injured two people and left an Oregon man missing and presumed dead.
Charging papers say Vicki and Robert Brown of Graham were motoring back to shore in their 17-foot aluminum boat when the two craft collided in Commencement Bay.
The impact threw 44-year-old Joshua Puckett and his passengers into the water. He and two of them were rescued.
Police say 47-year-old Douglas Foster of Portland is presumed dead. He was one of Puckett's passengers.
The News Tribune reports that Puckett pleaded not guilty to the charges Tuesday. His bail was set at $75,000 after his lawyer said he is caring for his terminally ill mother.
Police arrested him after the Saturday night crash. Puckett and three passengers were riding in his 22-foot boat.