LAKE MARTIN, AL (WSFA) - More information has been released in a boat crash that claimed the life of an Auburn man on Lake Martin Friday night.
According to Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Captain Gary Buchanan, investigators have determined two separate crashes occurred. Marine Patrol Troopers said a Sea Ray boat driven by Norman Ray Harris of Leeds and a Chris Craft boat driven by David George Goodling of Auburn collided nearly head on near the “Bridge to Nowhere” at around 8:30 p.m. Friday night. As far as investigators know at this time, there were no other passengers in either boat.
Buchanan said Harris contacted a friend and was taken to Baptist South after the crash. Goodling’s boat was found about an hour later, when another boat struck it in the same area of the lake. The third boat towed Goodling’s to The Ridge Marina and the driver called authorities and reported the crash, as well as significant damage the boat had from a previous crash. He also reported seeing a body in the boat.
Buchanan said investigators believe alcohol was a factor in the first crash between Harris and Goodling, based on evidence in the boats and other information that is not being released at this time. Troopers were notified of the second crash at around 9:45 p.m. Friday. They responded to The Ridge Marina and began their investigation.
The crash is still under investigation.