Jason Lindemann PC: Fox 11 Online
OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Jason Lindemann was sentenced Thursday for a boat crash on the Fox River in Oshkosh that injured more than a dozen people.
Judge Michael Gibbs sentenced Lindemann, 54, to five months in jail, followed by three years on probation. He was also ordered to serve 150 hours of community service.
In June, a jury found Lindemann guilty of two felony counts of second-degree recklessly endangering safety, 11 misdemeanor counts of failing to provide aid after a boating accident and one misdemeanor count of negligent operation of a boat. He was acquitted of one count of failing to provide aid after a boating accident.
According to the criminal complaint, Lindemann was driving his powerboat on the Fox River when it collided with the On the Loos paddlewheel cruise boat just before 10 p.m. July 9, 2022.
The paddleboat, carrying 44 people, suffered significant damage. Despite pleas from passengers on the damaged boat and nearby witnesses, Lindemann allegedly did not stop and render aid.
After dropping injured passengers from his boat off nearby, Lindemann drove his boat onto Lake Winnebago, where he and the boat remained until the next morning. Law enforcement found Lindemann’s boat abandoned at a nearby marina the next day.
The owner of On the Loos told police “he had a clear view of the striking boat as it approached his boat. (The victim) said he saw the front end of the striking boat go up as it picked up speed and headed directly towards the On the Loos in a head-on fashion. (The victim) stated he was not able to get out of the way but honked his horn. The striking boat veered to its right and struck the paddleboat on the lower deck area,” the complaint states.
One victim told police he “heard the operator of the striking boat yell ‘I’m so (expletive), I’m so (expletive)’ until the boat sped away with its lights off,” the complaint states.
When police discovered Lindemann’s boat, there appeared to be dried blood inside the boat and a bird decoration which had been on the On The Loos.
One witness on Lindemann’s boat said Lindemann had been drinking beers while on the boat. After the crash, Lindemann ignored pleas to help those on the other boat, she said.
The victims described a variety of injuries, including back pain, cuts, bruises, leg and neck injuries.
Lindemann also faces a civil lawsuit from the owners of the On the Loos.
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