Alcohol, speeding factors in fatal boat accident

ST. MARYS - A Celina man whose boat crashed into a fishing boat had a blood-alcohol concentration level more than three times the legal limit and traveled more than four times the legal speed limit.

Craig Morton, regional park manager at Grand Lake State Park, said Shane R. Frey, 33, of Celina, had a blood-alcohol concentration level of 0.29 percent.

Morton said estimates put Frey as traveling 40 to 50 mph. While during the daytime there is no speed limit on the lake, in the evening the speed limit is 10 mph.

Morton said it's being debated whether Frey was traveling with his headlights on. Morton said a fisherman in the second boat said Frey's headlights were not on and that he flashed his lights to warn Frey.

"It was lots of alcohol, fast speed and no lights that caused this accident," Morton said.

Frey was cruising in his boat in Grand Lake on Saturday when he struck the boat of two fishermen before being flung overboard.

Frey's body was found 30 minutes later, passed out and with head trauma.

The two passengers of the second boat were treated, then released with no serious injuries.

The funeral for Frey will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Miller Funeral Home in St. Marys. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today and after 9:30 a.m. Friday at the funeral home.