Jay Middle School principal faces trial in death of boater

Roger Shane Carroll, 39, of Eucha, is charged in Delaware County District Court with first-degree manslaughter, a felony, and reckless operation of a vessel, a misdemeanor.

He appeared in court Tuesday for the continuation of his preliminary hearing that began Dec. 6.

Monte Price, 39, of Jay, died in the accident.

Price, Brian Smith, 39, of Tahlequah, Brooks Carroll, 17, and the elder Carroll were aboard a passenger boat when it struck a breakwater structure near Arrowhead South Marina about 2 a.m. July 29.

Price, Smith and Brooks Carroll were thrown from the boat.

Grand River Dam Authority police discovered Price's body 12 hours later in 50 feet of water in the Duck Creek arm of Grand Lake.

The elder Carroll is accused of driving the boat. Alcohol use and excessive speed contributed to the crash, according to the dam authority report.

The four people reportedly had attended a wedding and reception earlier in the evening.

Tearful testimony

Smith, who is Price's cousin, tearfully testified for almost two hours Dec. 6, describing the events that led up to the crash and the minutes after the crash: seeing the body of the elder Carroll as it was thrown through the boat's windshield; the frantic search for Price in the dark waters; the screams of Brooks Carroll.

After the wedding reception and before the group boarded Price's boat, the men purchased more beer and three liters of water, Smith testified.

The group arrived at Ugly's Grill and Bar around 11:45 p.m. and stayed until it closed, Smith testified.