A boat collision during a fishing tournament on Lake Conroe claimed the life of Texas man Michael Wayne Conway, 58, on Saturday, according to Montgomery County authorities.
At about 7:50 a.m., two boats collided traveling at 45 mph each, resulting in a combined 90 mph hit, according to Captain Rusty Fincher of the Montgomery County Precinct 1 Constable’s Office. Conway died soon after authorities arrived on scene.
The driver of the other boat was reported to be “fine and on land,” according to Fincher. The two men were participating in the fishing tournament when the wreck happened.
Eye witness accounts of the event state that their seemed to be confusion amongst both boats as which way to yield to the other, leading to the boats colliding and leaving a large hole in Conway’s boat.
“The boats tried to yield in the proper way and they didn’t think the other one was going to yield,” said Ficnher. “They swerved back and forth and collided.”
Image: Montgomery County Police Reporter
“This tragedy raises awareness that even professional boaters need to be careful and know the rules of right-a-ways,” Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace Judge Wayne Mack said.
The crash is currently under investigation, with authorities waiting on autopsy results. Authorities took a blood sample from the other driver involved, but there’s no indication that either driver was impaired, according to Fincher.
