A tragic crash a couple thousand miles away is serving as a sobering reminder for boaters everywhere — including here in Montana.
In April 2025, Flint Andrew Davis, a 22-year-old professional fisherman from Georgia, was involved in a deadly boating collision on Alabama’s Smith Lake. Investigators say Davis was driving around 67 mph when his boat slammed into another vessel full of fishermen. Three men — Joey Broom, John Clark, and Jeffrey Little — were killed, and two others were seriously hurt. Earlier this month, a grand jury in Cullman County, Alabama, handed down an eight-count indictment, including three counts of reckless manslaughter, assault, and violations of boating safety laws.
Authorities say alcohol and excessive speed weren’t factors — Davis simply wasn’t paying attention. What did come up, however, was his lack of proper boating certifications, something both Georgia and Alabama law require.
For Montana boaters, it’s a reminder that tragedy on the water can happen fast — even to experienced outdoorsmen. With our own busy lakes, rivers, and reservoirs, understanding safety rules and staying aware of others on the water is just as critical here as it is down South.
Davis’s attorneys say he’s “deeply remorseful” and that the crash was a tragic accident. But for the families of the victims — and for boaters everywhere — it’s a heartbreaking example of how one distracted moment can have lifelong consequences.
So whether you’re chasing walleye on Fort Peck, trolling for trout on Canyon Ferry, or cruising Flathead Lake, keep your head on a swivel and your focus on the water. Safety isn’t just a rule — it’s respect for the lives around you.
