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Victim's Children Sue Boater, Others in Fatal Long Lake Crash

May 14, 2008 - PORTLAND -- The children of a woman killed in a boat crash on Long Lake last summer are seeking damages in a lawsuit against a Massachusetts man who police say was driving the speedboat that struck her and her companion.

The lawsuit was filed Wednesday in Cumberland County Superior Court by three children -- ages 16, 25 and 26 -- of Suzanne Groetzinger of Berwick. Groetzinger, 44, and Terry Raye Trott, 55, of Naples were killed when their 14-foot boat was struck by the speedboat on Aug. 11.

Robert LaPointe of Medway, Mass., is named as a defendant. Police say he was intoxicated and operating his boat in a reckless manner when it sliced the other boat in half. His blood-alcohol content was 0.11 percent about two hours after the crash.

The 39-year-old LaPointe has pleaded not guilty to seven criminal charges, including two counts of manslaughter.

Also named as defendants are LaPointe's father and Rick's Cafe, a popular bar and restaurant in Naples where prosecutors say LaPointe was drinking before the collision.

The suit argues that employees at Rick's should have recognized LaPointe was "visibly intoxicated" and known he could pose a danger in his boat.

It also alleges that Robert LaPointe transferred property to his father after being served with notice of intent to sue by Groetzinger's children and just seven days before he was charged with manslaughter, in violation of Maine's Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act.

The complaint alleges that the property transfer was an attempt to conceal assets in anticipation of Robert LaPointe's potential financial liability.

The Associated Press May 9, 2008


Lakes: Long Lake
Regions: Sebago


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