Verdict reached in deadly boat trial

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (WISH) - A verdict was reached Thursday evening in the deadly boating trial that killed two on Lake Monroe back in 2010.

21-year-old Winston Wood of Bloomington was found guilty on all three counts of leaving the scene of a boating collision without performing the duties required of an operator involved in collision.

Winston was charged in 2010 after authorities say Wood was driving a speed boat when it collided head-on with a fishing boat, killing 51-year-old Susan Collier of Bedford and 8-year-old Gage Pruitt of Williams. Also in the boat, Collier's husband Rusty, who was hurt in the crash, and two of the Collier's other grandsons.

24-hour-news 8 was in the Bloomington court room as the verdict was read. The jury deliberated for about five hours before reading a guilty verdict on all three counts of leaving the scene of the crash.

Erica Collier is Susan Collier’s daughter. “Ever since the accident, When Gage’s mom and dad got to the hospital, the first thing he said, JT said, was, ‘They didn’t stay to help us, why didn’t they stay to help?’ That’s so hard for an 8 year old boy to understand,” she said.

“He did not fulfill his legal, perhaps more importantly, his moral duty to his fellow human beings under the circumstances,” said Robert Miller, Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney.

One of Wood’s attorneys spoke after the verdict as well. “We are disappointed. There are no winners in this case; it’s a tragedy. We disagree with the verdict,” said Fred Vaiana, defense attorney.

Rusty Collier did not come to the courthouse. Instead, his daughter called him to let him know the verdict.
“What dad was able to do on that day truly was heroic, and I have no clue how he was able to do that. So, just for him too, its good,” said Erica Collier, wiping away tears.

“It’s not really that we’re happy for any of it, because nothing will change and they’ll always be gone.
But... it definitely helps,” she added.

A blood test showed Wood had traces of marijuana in his system, but investigators say he didn’t show any signs of intoxication.

Collier’s family was instrumental in changing Indiana law. Those with drugs in their system can also be charged with operating while intoxicated.

That law goes into effect July 1.

A sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled for Wood.