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September 7, 2010

Moore man suspect in hit-and-run

Man identified as boat driver remains free pending report

By Donna Hales Phoenix Staff Writer

— A Moore man authorities say was involved in a deadly boating accident remains free.

Aaron Jones, 24, was driving a white, 2003 Cobalt that hit a 2002 Sea Ray that was sitting idle in Lake Eufaula on Saturday. Oklahoma City resident Greg Scherff was killed and six others were injured, said Oklahoma Highway Lake Patrol Trooper Matt Drummond.

Everybody on the Sea Ray “kind of knew who (Jones) was,” Drummond said. Another person in the vicinity provided Jones’ phone number to the OHP, Drummond said.

The reason no arrest has been made is because the investigative report hasn’t been sent to prosecutors, Drummond said. Troopers have 72 hours to complete an investigative report and present the charges for a probable cause affidavit (for arrest), he said.

“I still have witnesses to question in Oklahoma City,” Drummond said Tuesday.

Drummond said he was unable to reach Jones until Sunday, when Jones returned a phone message.

His boat was later located at a Cook Creek boat slip. A search warrant was issued and the boat was seized.

“His story is that after the accident, he asked if everybody was OK before he drove away,” Drummond said.

Most of the damage to both boats and all injuries occurred when the Cobalt hit the Sea Ray and sailed over the top of it, Drummond said.

That is how most boat collisions happen, Drummond said.

Both boats were operable after the accident, he said. No one on the Sea Ray had a life vest on at the time of the accident, he said.

Scherff, 38, was an architect and owner of G.S. Home Design, a residential building design firm, according to his website.

Others injured in the accident were released from area hospitals by Tuesday, Drummond said.

Jones and a passenger in his boat, Sarah Walker, 22, of Moore were not injured in the accident, Drummond said.



Reach Donna Hales at 684-2923 or dhales@muskogeephoenix.com.

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