HINGHAM, MASS. (WHDH) - A Weymouth man was arraigned Wednesday in connection with a deadly boating crash off the coast of Hingham in 2024 that killed a 70-year-old woman and seriously injured another person.
John Reichhardt, 64, appeared in Dedham Superior Court to face two counts of felony assault causing serious bodily injury and one misdemeanor of boat homicide due to negligent operation. He pleaded not guilty to all the charges against him.
On August 16, 2024, two people on a sailboat were injured in a crash involving a sailboat and motorboat and taken to South Shore Hospital, then to Massachusetts General Hospital. Patricia Cicalese, 70, of East Walpole, died from her injuries on September 7, 2024.
Prosecutors said Reichhardt hit a 21-foot sailboat with his 38-foot motorboat. Court documents obtained by 7NEWS show Reichhardt told investigators he became distracted by a fishing boat traveling across the channel, and did not see the sailboat.
Those documents went on to show that Reichhardt was on the motorboat at the time of the crash with his wife, and police found no indication he had been drinking.
7NEWS also discovered reports that environmental police were investigating navigational equipment on both boats as they searched for evidence.
Reichardt was released on personal recognizance and ordered not to commit any new crimes. He is expected back in court on June 23.
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