A Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man pleaded guilty this (Monday) morning to one charge in connection with last year’s fatal boat accident on West Lake Okoboji. Justin Nearman entered the plea to operating a boat while intoxicated resulting in the death of another person.
Two other charges were dropped in the plea bargain: operating a boat while intoxicated causing injury and failing to give assistance.
The boat accident in August of 2005 killed Michael Brosnahan of Perry and injured his wife. Jill Brosnahan settled a federal civil suit with Nearman and the boat’s owner last week, though terms of the settlement were not disclosed. Nearman is scheduled to be sentenced in January.