WINONA, Minn. — Winona County sheriff's officials aren't recommending any criminal charges in a houseboat accident on the Mississippi River.
The boat, owned by Mississippi River Rental, of La Crosse, Wis., went through a lock and dam roller gate in Dresbach after its engine failed and tossed eleven people into the river May 26.
Chief Deputy Ron Ganrude (GAN'-rood) says that after talking with several law enforcement agencies, there are no apparent criminal violations. Ganrude tells KAGE radio (http://bit.ly/piXklg0 ) that none of the agencies required the boat to undergo inspections. The pilot of the boat was not required to be certified as a captain and there were enough life jackets on board for all the passengers.
Ganrude says crews are expected to remove the sunken boat Wednesday and take it to the owner's marina.
