A quarter of a million dollars bond was set today for a man charged with running after a deadly boat crash. Glenn Riegelsberger pleaded not guilty today during his arraignment to several charges including aggravated vehicular homicide.
He is charged in connection with a boating accident on the Ohio River near Sedamsville which killed one and injured one other person. Local 12 Reporter Larry Davis was in court today as we learned new information about Riegelsberger's criminal past.
Judge Norbert Nadel agreed with the prosecution that a high bond was warranted in this case citing the fact that someone died and alcohol was involved. As a matter of fact today, we learned that Riegelsberger had six previous DUI convictions.
Riegelsberger spent two months on the run before surrendering to police to face charges last week.
Prosecutors say Riegelsberger drove his boat broadside into another pleasure craft--injuring Jeffrey Foster and a woman. Foster died days later from his injuries. Investigators say after the crash, Riegelsberger docked his boat and ran away.Alcohol was later found on the boat. Prosecutors told Local 12, "Obviously there was flight here. I've asked that question,there's a death, there's alcohol involved so I do agree with the state that the bond will have to be a substantial one so in order that the defendant does appear."
Defense attorney Robert Kelly says some of facts of the case are in dispute. He argued that prosecutors are trying to get a lot of press in the case in order to stir up public emotion.
There was emotion outside the court room as Jeffrey Foster's parents ,who did not give their names, spoke briefly with reporters. "We re just waiting for the law to take its course. That's all we have to say. Hopefully he'll be responsible and be accountable for these actions. Hopefully the justice system works."
Five of Riegelsberger's previous DUI conviction came in the 1980's. The sixth was filed in 2005.
Riegelsberger is charged with two counts of aggravated vehicular homicide, two counts of aggravated vehicular assault, 2 counts of failure to stop after an accident and one count of operating a vessel in a low speed area.
If convicted of all charges, he faces the possibility of 23 years in prison.
