When it comes to accidental cases, we often hear about disasters involving cars or motorcycles. But, you might be surprised to know that boat accidents also exist more than many people realize. In Canada itself, each year about 100 fatal incidents involving boats are reported. In these cases, poor visibility remains the top cause, as seen in the currently viral Kevin O Leary wife’s boating accident. This August 2019 case quickly turned popular, along with several rumors that blurred the ultimate truth behind the accident.
These types of headlines often get stuffed with speculations that not only confuse reality, but also bring many rumours that harm the involved person’s image. For example, Daryl Mitchell’s wife’s accident analysis exposed how rumors work and how badly they can impact someone’s professional and personal lifestyle. Those finding the actual truth regarding Kevin O’Leary’s wife’s accident news can take help from this MotorCraz article for the latest facts and updates.
What Happened in Kevin O’Leary’s Wife’s Boat Accident?
Kevin O’Leary is the renowned Shark Tank star, whose wife’s accident news is currently in the news. According to the Mase Seitz Briggs, the news is that Kevin O’Leary’s wife, Linda, was involved in a lethal boat crash on the night of August 24, 2019. Reportedly, Linda was controlling a powerboat with her husband and a family friend, and unexpectedly collided with a 16-seat Nautique owned by Irv Edwards.
The Kevin O Leary wife boat accident caused two fatalities, where Gary Poltash (64) died on the spot. While the preliminary reports disclosed that the misfortune injured three other passengers, it took another life, i.e., that of Suzana Brito (48), who later passed away in the hospital.
Who Sparked the Accident?
In the Kevin O Leary wife’s boat accident, two boat operators were charged; the first one was Linda O’Leary, and the other larger boat driver, Richard Ruh. Further investigation found that Richard’s boat was the invisible one that Linda failed to notice, as his boat’s navigation lights were off. Even the security camera confirmed the Nautique’s off light at the time of the impact.
In such accidental cases, eyewitnesses and footages plays a vital role in determining what actually happened. A similar pattern was noticed in the MeltIsLIVE Twitch star car accident, where his livestream video shows how the incident actually unfolded.
Kevin O’Leary’s Wife’s Legal Outcome Explained
If you notice the matter closely, you will understand that the prime issue was whether the other boat’s navigation lights were on. Kevin and Linda O’Leary admitted that the other boat was not visible enough for they could have helped to prevent the collision. When the incident took a legal turn on September 14, 2021, an Ontario-based judge concluded that Linda was not guilty.
The authority said that the navigation lights of the Nautique were not on, which made the accident unavoidable. Consequently, Richard Ruh, the other boat driver, was found guilty for failing to activate the navigation lights. Additionally, the judge rejected the prosecution’s claim that O’ Leary was driving too speed, since there was no concrete evidence to prove that point.
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Besides this, Linda was found to exert an “alert’ on a roadside breath test; however, the judge stated that alcohol didn’t play any role in Kevin O’ Leary’s wife’s boating accident. Regarding the revelation, Linda said that she had drink alcohol after the accident to calm herself down before the breath test was done.
Revealing The Ultimate Truth of This Case

A National Post report declared that the prosecutor failed to prove any point against Linda O’ Leary. Even the evidence clearly showed that she was the designated driver, appeared to be normal on video departing a dinner party, and didn’t show any signs of intoxication at the scene. Also, it was concluded that Linda wasn’t speeding or driving the boat carelessly. The authority declared that even a police boat traveling slowly almost struck the unlit vessel, making it clear that any reasonable driver was unable to see it.
After the criminal verdict, the victim’s families filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the O’Learys. They seek millions in damages done to them during Kevin O’Leary’s wife’s boating accident. Interestingly, reports showed that O’Learys filed their own claim for the operator of another vehicle and against the damages to the owner.
If you have queries like “What to Do After a Car Accident?” Here’s the ultimate guide on how to proceed in an automobile collision and ensure your safety when every second counts.
How to Prevent Accidents Like This?
Preventing misfortunes like the Kevin O’ Leary wife boating accident requires a complete dedication to adherence to night navigation laws. Visibility remains one of the most crucial factors in this type of riding, so you should use it, especially during sunset and sunrise, or in low visibility (fog/rain). Also, lowering the boat speed is an essential factor, as your eyes would not be enough to estimate the distance accurately. For more safety, you can designate someone specifically to monitor hazards, other boats, swimmers or debris.
BoaterExam suggests keeping your cockpit and cabin lights dimmed or using ed-filtered lighting to preserve your natural night vision, which could take an hour to adjust. You can converse quietly and turn off the stereo on the boat to clearly hear an incoming engine or horn before you see the other boat. Using safety equipment, like radar, GPS, and life jackets, could help you with better protection. You can also complete the “Boater Safety Course” as most United States regions require a Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC) or equivalent proof of competency.
Also Check: Florida License Plate Frame Law Releases Guidelines Drivers Should Know.
Wrapping-Up
The Kevin O Leary wife boat accident remains a vital reminder of how fragile life is, especially when you don’t follow rules. Whether road or lake, following navigation laws is vital for everyone should follow religiously to ensure safety. Linda O’Leary remained safe medically and legally in the boat accident as the judge found that the other boat driver was the actual factual.
Being alert while riding any vehicle will not shield your life, but will save many other lives, too. If you wish to know how to spot dangerous spots, you can take help from this SUV Ditch Crash in Minden Township, Michigan, article by MotorCraz.
FAQ’s
Who is Kevin O’Leary’s Wife?
Authentic reports pointed out that Kevin O’Leary’s wife is Linda O’Leary, who is a businesswoman and the Vice President of Marketing for O’Leary Wines. She is an arts supporter and serves as a board member for The National Ballet of Canada. She gained massive limelight after Kevin O’Leary’s wife’s boat accident that unfolded in 2019. The boat accident largely impacted the couple’s family, including the Kevin O Leary kids, because of increased scrutiny.
Where Did the Kevin O’Leary Boat Accident Happen?
Kevin O’Leary’s wife’s boat accident happened on Lake Joseph in Ontario, Canada, an acclaimed yet busy boating destination. Reports discovered that the incident unfolded during the nighttime, when the visibility was too low, which was a significant contributing factor in the crash. Unfortunately, the tragic incident resulted in the loss of two lives, which made it a severe case.
Was Kevin O’Leary on the Boat During the Accident?
Credible sources indicated that Kevin O’Leary was the passenger on the boat during the accident when it collided with another boat in 2019. Kevin was in the boat with Linda and a family friend, and they were returning from a dinner party. While it is clear that Linda was the boat operator, the investigation proved that the Shark Tank Star was not operating the boat at the time of Kevin O’ Leary’s wife’s boating accident .
Has Kevin O’Leary’s Wife Been on Shark Tank?
Linda has not appeared as a Shark and doesn’t even play an on-screen role in the show. While Kevin O’Leary is one of the household popular faces on the series, his wife chose to stay private. Her public presence was increased after the deadly Kevin O’Leary’s wife’s boating accident. Some viewers mistakenly thought that she appeared on the show due to increased media limelight, but actually, she was not an official part of the show.
