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Civil Suit Filed for Boat Collision on Long Lake

May 14, 2008 - PORTLAND -- The Massachusetts man charged in the deaths of two boaters on Long Lake last summer now faces a civil suit filed in Cumberland County Superior Court Wednesday.

Blaine Groetzinger, whose mother Suzanne Groetzinger was killed with Terry Raye Trott, filed the suit against Robert LaPointe, of Medway, Mass.; his father, George LaPointe, of Ashland, Mass.; and Naples Casino, Inc., owners of Rick's Cafe in Naples.

The suit seeks unspecified damages from Robert LaPointe for the suffering and death of Groetzinger, unspecified damages from Naples Casino for negligently serving alcohol to LaPointe, and from George LaPointe for accepting a parcel of land from his son after learning of the plaintiff's intent to sue.

The collison that killed Trott and Groetzinger occured Aug. 11, when the 32-foot Sunsation operated by Robert LaPointe struck the 14-foot boat carrying Groetzinger, 44 and Trott, 55. Groetzinger and Trott were killed. LaPointe and his passenger, Nicole Randall of Bridgton suffered minor injuries.

LaPointe's blood-alcohol content was found to be .11 about two hours after the crash. Maine's legal limit for operating a boat or other motor vehicle is .08 percent.

LaPointe was indicted by a Cumberland County grand jury on two counts of manslaughter, four counts of aggravated operating under the influence, and one count of reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon. He pleaded not guilty in November to the charges.

The suit states that LaPointe "negligently and with actual or implied malice" collided with the boat operated by Trott. It adds that because earlier that day LaPointe drank alcohol at Rick's Cafe, located on the Naples Causeway, those at the cafe should have known LaPointe was intoxicated and would pose a danger to others because he would be operating his boat.

The final part of the suit charges LaPointe transferred ownership of a 100-acre property he owned with his wife Heather on Whitney Road in Bridgton to his father, George LaPointe around Nov. 20, a week before he was arraigned.

The suit said the transfer came after LaPointe learned of the plaintiff's intent to sue and that his boat insurance would not be sufficient to compensate the victims.

By Julia Davis
www.keepmecurrent.com, May 8, 2008.

Lakes: Long Lake
Regions: Sebago


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