REGIONAL — The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office has completed its investigation into a fatal boating accident on Lake Vermilion that claimed the life of a fishing guide and resort owner in May.
Jeremy Johnson, 53, of Eveleth and co-owner of Whispering Winds Resort and a fishing guide, died following a two-boat collision near Manbeck Island in Beatty Twp. on May 12.
Autopsy results released this week determined that Johnson did not die from traumatic injuries sustained in the collision. Instead, the report listed the causes of death as underlying cardiac conditions, drowning, and hypothermia.
According to the sheriff’s office, Johnson entered the water during the crash and swam toward shore before he was later found unconscious. Attempts to resuscitate him at the scene were unsuccessful.
The investigation found that a boat occupied by Daniel Erickson, 63, of Cook, was anchored between the mainland and the island. A passenger in the Ranger boat driven by Johnson told deputies that the Ranger was traveling at a high rate of speed as it rounded the island and that Johnson was unable to slow down or turn to avoid the collision.
Kevin House, 67, of Wrenshall, and Lewis Hoskins, 46, of Kimball, were riding in the Ranger as part of an event for Fishing with Vets, one of multiple veterans organizations Johnson hosted annually at the resort.
All four individuals ended up in the water, with Johnson and House swimming toward the mainland and Hoskins assisting Erickson to the shore on Manbeck Island.
Erickson was later airlifted to St. Mary’s Hospital in Duluth, while Hoskins was taken to Essentia Health and House to Cook Hospital.
Investigators determined that alcohol or drug impairment was not a factor in the crash.