Fort Myers, FL - An Ohio man has been convicted of vessel homicide in connection with a fatal boat crash in Southwest Florida in 2020.
Prosecutors say 78-year-old James Allen was operating the boat when he collided with a swimmer and fled the scene in Collier County.
Witnesses told authorities that the boater threw a flotation device at the swimmer before fleeing the scene.
Allen was later found by Collier County Sheriff's Deputies and identified by witnesses and evidence, including photos, surveillance video, and GPS data.
Allen admitted to going 20 mph without slowing down when he struck the swimmer who was 350 feet from shore.
According to reports, the swimmer died from his injuries shortly after the crash.
Allen was also found guilty of a vessel registration violation.
His sentencing is scheduled for March 14th.