Idaho Falls man charged with manslaughter

An Idaho Falls man has been charged with involuntary manslaughter in a boating accident that occurred earlier this month.

Christopher L. Fife, 34, of Idaho Falls, was operating a boat on the South Fork of the Snake River while under the influence of alcohol on Aug. 3, the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office said. The boat hit some rocks on the side of the river, which immediately stopped the boat.

Cara Tomita, 33, of Rigby, died in the crash, and Richard Olaveson, another passenger, was badly hurt.

The sheriff’s office submitted its findings in the crash to the county prosecutor’s office Wednesday. Warrants were issued on one count of involuntary manslaughter and one count of aggravated operating a vessel while under the influence.

Fife turned himself in at the Bonneville County Jail on Thursday morning, the sheriff’s office said.

His preliminary hearing will be in the next two weeks.