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The trial of Dr. Joseph Yurich continues on Tuesday. Yurich is accused of crashing a boat into a fishing vessel on May 9, 2015. The accident resulted in the death of Neal Cuppett, 58. Bruce Lindamood,42, was injured as well. Yurich is now facing several charges, including vehicular homicide. Court is expected to begin at 9:00 am ET.
In addition to homicide, and a vehicular assault charge for Lindamood’s injury, Yurich, a surgeon, is accused of being drunk at the time of the crash. He is facing a charged of operating a watercraft while impaired. A blood alcohol test showed a level of .08, which is just above the legal limit, however the tests were ruled to be inadmissible at trial because the blood and urine samples had not been properly refrigerated before going to a lab for testing. Despite this, prosecutors believe they still have enough evidence to support the charge, including a statement from Yurich, where he allegedly admitted to having “a couple” drinks.
On Monday, both sides gave their opening statements and then witnesses began testifying. Lindamood took the stand and recalled what happened when the crash took place. “I remember seeing a bright light and then I was in the water,” he said. Lindamood said that from the water he heard a man who he then saw take off in his own boat.
The defense claims that Yurich thought he hit a rock, and that he fled from the crash because he was afraid of damage to his own boat.
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