Alcohol Factor In Boat Crash Killing Burnsville Woman: Sheriff

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MN — Authorities believe low visibility, speed, and alcohol were all factors in a boat crash that killed a Burnsville woman in northern Minnesota Saturday evening. The woman, a passenger in the boat, has been identified as Ann Marie Delanghe, 54. Ernest Delanghe, 57, also of Burnsville and a passenger, did not suffer injury in the crash.

On July 22 at about 11:16 p.m., the St. Louis County 911 dispatchers took a report of a boat crash on Dinham Lake in Ellsberg Township.

When sheriff deputies arrived on scene, it was learned that four occupants of a boat which had been traveling on the lake had struck a dock and boat lift. Multiple injuries were reported to the occupants of the boat, and Ann Marie Delanghe was thrown from the boat into the water upon impact.

(For more local news, click here to sign up for real-time news alerts and newsletters from Minnesota Patch, click here to find your local Minnesota Patch. Also, follow us on Facebook, and if you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app.)

Ann Marie Delanghe was rescued from the water by several witnesses on shore and transported to Essentia St. Mary's Hospital in Duluth, where she died, according to authorities.

Two other occupants were transported to Essentia Virginia Regional Medical Center in Virginia with unknown injuries, and one refused medical transport.

Brian Deroche, 50, of Duluth, was the driver of the boat. Cindy Deroche, 45, also of Duluth, was the other passenger.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation by the sheriff's office, but it is believed by authorities that night time operation, speed, and alcohol all were factors in the crash.

Image via Shutterstock