Professional angler indicted for manslaughter following fatal Smith Lake crash

CULLMAN COUNTY, Ala. (WAFF) - A professional angler was indicted on three counts of manslaughter connected to a fatal boat crash during a Major League Fishing tournament in Cullman County back in April.

According to court documents, Flint Davis was operating a boat that crashed into another vessel on Smith Lake, killing three, around 7 a.m. on April 16.

The three people killed were identified as John Clark, 44, of Cullman, Jeffrey Little, of Brandon, Miss., and Joey Broom, 48, of Altoona.

Two other people aboard the boat Davis allegedly hit were injured.

“There are rules of the road when it comes to the water just like there is on the highway,” Cullman County District Attorney Champ Crocker said. “And we want the public to understand and follow these rules and appreciate the dangers of not doing so.”

At the time of the crash, Davis’ boat was going 67 miles per hour, according to court documents.

Attorney Hunter Garnett is representing the family of Joey Broom in a civil lawsuit against Davis.

“This is the first big step for the family for seeking justice,” Garnett said. “Not only in terms of the criminal case, but also the civil case. I am a bit surprised at 67 miles per hour. That’s very fast especially on the water.”

In addition to manslaughter, Davis is also facing two counts of assault, reckless operation of a vehicle/vessel, failure to follow boating rules of the road, and boating without a boater safety certification.

Investigators say the weather was not a factor in this crash.

“Alcohol was not a factor,” Chief Matt Brooks with the Alabama Law Enforcement said. “The weather was not a factor. Other vessel traffic was not a factor. Weather conditions or other environmental conditions were not factors.”

Joey Broom and Jeffrey Little’s families have filed wrongful death lawsuits since the boat crash.

Davis’ bond has been set at $115,000.

The Cullman County District Attorney’s Office held a press conference on Friday about the crash.

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