Skipper of boat in crash that killed US tourist off Italy faces manslaughter investigation

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The captain of a rented motorboat that was involved in a fatal collision off the coast of Amalfi, Italy, resulting in the death of an American tourist, is facing a potential manslaughter investigation, according to an announcement made on Saturday by Giuseppe Borrelli, the Salerno Chief Prosecutor.

The Italian captain, whose identity has not been publicly disclosed, is also under scrutiny for possibly causing a shipwreck. As of now, no charges have been officially brought against him, and the investigative process is continuing.

The tragic incident took place on Thursday afternoon, leading to the death of 45-year-old Adrienne Vaughan. She, along with her husband and the boat’s captain, were aboard the motorboat when it crashed into a chartered sailboat hosting a wedding reception with approximately 70 guests. Both her husband and the captain suffered injuries, while Vaughan lost her life.

Authorities have been examining blood samples from the captain to ascertain his alcohol and drug levels at the time of the incident, though the preliminary findings have been inconclusive. Recent reports suggest that the toxicology tests revealed traces of cocaine, but further evaluation is necessary to determine its impact on the captain’s ability to control the boat.

The injured captain, who is said to be suffering from rib and pelvis fractures, is still in the hospital and has been interrogated by investigators. Meanwhile, the victim’s husband, Mike White, is receiving treatment for a shoulder injury in another hospital and has spoken to authorities with further discussions planned.

Vaughan’s two young children were unharmed in the incident and are currently under the care of their grandfather, who traveled to Italy to assist while their father recovers.

During the crash, Vaughan was thrown into the water and, despite immediate assistance from two doctors on the sailboat, she died before medical transportation could reach her. An autopsy report is still awaited.

The captain of the sailboat stated that the motorboat was moving at a high speed when it struck the stationary vessel. The ongoing investigation has included questioning the sailboat’s captain and several passengers, including American and other international tourists.

The family’s motorboat had departed from the town of Amalfi and was on its way to Positano when the accident happened.

Adrienne Vaughan was notably the president of the U.S. branch of Bloomsbury Publishing, a company known for its array of celebrated authors such as Sarah J. Maas, Susanna Clarke, and historian Mark Kurlansky. One of Bloomsbury’s books, authored by the late Winfred Rembert and titled “Chasing Me to My Grave: An Artist’s Memoir of the Jim Crow South,” earned the Pulitzer Prize for biography in 2022.

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• News report on the Amalfi Coast crash
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• Official statement from Italian authorities
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