The Source of the Boating Deaths Rumor?

If you've been keeping up with the aftermath of the tragic boating accident that occurred two weeks ago, you've heard the rumor that so many have accused us of hiding. Until our blog on the subject, we hadn't a clue who the alleged owner of the cabin cruiser was. Then the e-mails/messages began to flood in - all naming the same man.

Except...as the Quad-Cities Daily is reporting, neither the rumored boat pilot nor any vessel registered to him was involved. From the QCD:

He’s not part of the investigation. I can’t say more about the case, but what I can allow is that neither Tom nor his boat were (sic) involved.

Who started this rumor? Interestingly, those who have related a source in their communications to us have indicated an unnamed Lauderdale County Sheriff's deputy as the one who placed blame on the Florence boater. Interesting if that is correct.

Second, the Augusta, Georgia, newspaper published incorrect information on the owner of the boat and, by inference, deflected blame from one vessel. We're going with the QCD account which is very thoroughly researched.

There seems to be blame on both sides in the accident. After speaking with a person very familiar with the creek/lake area, we understand that small sightseeing bass boats/speed boats have no place on the waterways after dark. It's too late for Lauren and Blakely Cowart, but let's hope at least some learn from this misadventure.