I.F. man charged with 2 counts of negligent operation of a vessel after Aug. 2017 boating accident

The Idaho Falls man who is said to be responsible for the death of a Utah couple, after a boating accident at Blacktail Park in August 2017, appeared in court on Wednesday.

Mike Kingston is the only survivor of that crash and was in serious condition at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center.

His initial charge of two counts of involuntary manslaughter was amended by both parties at his preliminary trial to two misdemeanor counts of negligent operation of a vessel.

At the boating accident in August, Kingston and the husband and wife couple from Centerville, Utah were all thrown out of the boat while making a turn. That is when they were hit by the boat as it circled around them.

The wife died at the scene and the husband died later in the hospital from his injuries.

Kingston’s change to plea and sentencing hearings are set for March 30 9:30 a.m in the Bonneville County Court.