Man Sentenced To Six Month Suspended Sentence, Probation and Fine Following Boating Death

A Missouri man arrested for boating while intoxicated after a fatal boating crash killed a woman and injured four others in July of 2020 pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge Tuesday.

54-year-old John D. Bennett of New Haven received a six-month jail sentence suspended; and will serve two years of probation and pay a $1,000 fine.

Bennett was originally charged with BWI with serious physical injury, BWI with death to another, BWI with serious injury, and careless and imprudent operation of a vessel.

The July 25, 2020, crash killed Dawn Steinkuehler of High Ridge. According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report, two boats collided at the 18 mile-marker of the main channel. The crash report says the crash happened as Bennett was driving his boat on Lake of the Ozarks in July 2020. He hit another boat full of people, killing Steinkuehler and seriously injuring her husband and daughter.

The Camden County prosecutor’s office refused to comment on the case; however, in court, an assistant prosecutor told Judge Michael Gilley he didn’t have the evidence to continue with the more serious charges.