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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Investigators say Spokane man driving boat on Lake Coeur d’Alene in crash that killed 3 should face charges

A man may face charges in connection to a two-boat crash that killed three people last summer on Lake Coeur d’Alene.

The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office said Monday it recommended “a variety of criminal charges” against Dennis D. Magner in connection to the crash that killed Justin M. Luhr, Justin T. Honken and Caitlin A. Breeze.

Magner, 50, of Spokane was operating his Mastercraft with four other people aboard when it crashed into a stationary boat occupied by the victims on the night of July 30 at Threemile Point, the Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.

The Sheriff’s Office said that Magner and three of his passengers initially lied about who had been operating the boat, but the passengers later recanted and identified Magner as the driver.

Magner’s passengers were previously identified as Jonathan C. Sweat, 40, of Spokane; Alejandro M. Gutierrez, 33, Arlington, Washington; Skye S. Neversorry, 24, of Spokane; and Paige L. Archer, 25, of Hayden.

The bodies of Luhr, Honken and Breeze were retrieved from the water four days after the crash.

“Investigators have worked diligently to gather the facts and untangle the events that led to the crash the night of July 30th,” the Sheriff’s Office said in a news release. “The Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the families and the community for their patience as it remains a tragedy for those who have lost loved ones in this crash.”