Man Who Died After Two Boats Collide in North Iowa Identified

Authorities have identified the man who died after two boats collided in North Iowa last week.

The Iowa DNR received a call around 8:30 AM Thursday (07.30) about the crash on the west end of Clear Lake in an area known locally as Little Lake. 59-year-old Dennis Ritter of Meservy was trolling a 16-foot Alumicraft fishing boat when it was struck from behind by an Excel flat bottom boat operated by 35-year-old Logen Conklin of Muscatine.

Ritter and a passenger on his boat, 68-year-old Billy Carlton of Dows, were taken to MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center in Mason City, where Ritter was pronounced dead. Carlton was treated for injuries and released on Friday (07.31).

The DNR says Conklin and passengers in his boat were not injured.

Alcohol has been ruled out as a contributing factor in the crash.

DNR conservation officers, Ventura and Clear Lake fire departments, Clear Lake Police Department, and the Cerro Gordo County Sheriff’s Office all responded to the scene.