Man Charged In Boating Accident

Friday, December 28th 2007, 6:21 am

By: News On 6

A Tulsa man has been charged in Osage County with negligent homicide stemming from a boating accident on Skiatook Lake in July. Authorities say 57-year old Ronald Gildersleeve was killed in the July 28 accident. Charged is Jason Barthel.

The Oklahoma Lake Patrol says Barthel was piloting his boat near the Oklahoma highway 20 bridge when it collided with a pontoon boat. The pontoon boat was anchored near the bridge.

54-year-old Thomas Clayton, who was on the pontoon boat, lost his leg in the accident.

Barthel is out of jail on bond after pleading â€˜not guiltyâ€™ to the charge in Osage County District Court in Pawhuska.

If convicted, Barthel could face a year in jail.

Related story:

7/29/2007 Deadly Lake Boat Crash