POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. — A Dexter man was ordered to stand trial Thursday afternoon on five counts of boating while intoxicated in connection with a June boat collision on Black River that left a local teenager dead and four others injured.
Accompanied by his attorney Dan Moore, Braden Parker Bollinger, 27, was set to appear before Associate Circuit Judge John Bloodworth for a preliminary hearing in his case.
Bollinger is charged with the Class C felony of boating while intoxicated (BWI-death of another), two Class D felonies of BWI (serious physical injury) and two Class E felonies of BWI (physical injury).
“I understand you wish to waive your preliminary hearing,” Bloodworth said. “ ... Have you had enough time to discuss this with your attorney?”
Bollinger answered “yes,” just as he did when asked whether he believed it was in his best interest to waive having a hearing.
Bloodworth accepted Bollinger’s waiver and ordered him to appear at 1 p.m. Oct. 16 before Presiding Circuit Judge Michael Pritchett for arraignment on the charges.
The charges stem from an investigation into June 3 crash on Black River that killed Cali Murphy, 16, of Poplar Bluff. Kirk Murphy, 35, and Shannon Sisson, 32, both of Poplar Bluff, suffered serious physical injuries in the crash.
Also injured were Matthew Rushin, 33, of Poplar Bluff and Brady Smyth, 50, of Dexter.
Bollinger, who also was injured seriously in the crash, is accused of negligently operating his boat by driving carelessly and at high rates of speed while under the influence of alcohol, and his boat collided with another boat.
The crash occurred at about 7:25 p.m. June 3 on Black River, about one mile upstream from the Hendrickson Access.
The Murphys and Sisson were occupants of Rushin’s Shoal Runner at the time of the crash.
Rushin, according to Missouri State Highway Patrol Cpl. J.T. Wilson’s probable-cause statement, identified Bollinger as the other boat operator.
Bollinger admitted to being the operator of the Alweld, said Wilson, who reported seeing an empty beer can in Bollinger’s boat, as well as a can “inside of a koozie.”
Wilson said he also saw several unopened beer cans inside Rushin’s Shoal Runner.
Rushin, Wilson said, reported he was driving his boat upstream on Black River prior to the crash.
“He stated the white and blue Alweld was traveling downstream, to his left,” Wilson said. “Mr. Rushin stated that the white and blue Alweld veered toward his boat and struck his boat head on. (He) stated both boats were on plane.”
Everyone in Rushin’s boat reportedly was ejected.
When Wilson spoke with Bollinger, he said, the man reported he was traveling downstream and hit another boat.
“Bollinger stated he was on plane; however, did not know what had happened,” Wilson said. “While speaking to Bollinger, I could smell a strong odor of intoxicants emitting from his breath as he spoke.”
Bollinger, Wilson said, admitted to having drank “several” beers prior to the crash.
Wilson described Bollinger’s eyes as being glassy and bloodshot, and his speech was slurred, mumbled and incoherent.
A search was obtained for a sample of Bollinger’s blood and reportedly was executed while he was being treated at a Cape Girardeau hospital.
Those results have not been released at this time.