RI DEM Delays Providing Information on Deadly Boating Collision in Newport
GoLocalProv News Team
RI DEM Delays Providing Information on Deadly Boating Collision in Newport
Sandra Tartaglino was competing in a regatta and died when a collision took place between her sailboat and a motorboat.
Now, more than a month after the incident, the name of the operator of one of the boats still has not been released -- nor have any of the details. The delay stands in stark contrast to how investigations are treated by the Rhode Island State Police and local departments. Names are generally released within 48 hours.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTIn August, Shark Tank star Kevin O'Leary and his wife Linda were involved in a fatal boating accident in Canada.
Reportedly, as Linda was driving, their boat collided with another, leaving two people dead.
"Late Saturday night I was a passenger in a boat that had a tragic collision with another craft that had no navigation lights on and then fled the scene of the accident. I am fully cooperating with authorities," Kevin O'Leary, said in a statement.
According to The Toronto Sun, the two victims were on a 13-person boat that allegedly smashed into O'Leary's vessel.
O'Leary's wife took a DUI test and was not intoxicated. Canadian officials released all of the related details within four days.
RIDEM officials are now — legally — blocking the release of information for another month.
GoLocal first sought information on the incident a week after the collision between a sailboat competing in a regatta near the Pell bridge and a powerboat.
After GoLocal made the August 19 request to the RIDEM, Michael Healey wrote in an email, “Releasing the name of the operator of the powerboat would compromise the investigation, the purpose of which is to determine if this incident was accidental or criminal. To protect the integrity of the investigation, we won’t release the other boater’s name until the investigation is complete.”
GoLocal Files Request for Public Documents
On September 3 after weeks of delay by RIDEM, GoLocal filed an access to public records request seeking details about the accident.
Specifically, the APRA request entailed who else was involved in the incident and who was operating the other vessel.
“Pursuant to RIGL, please provide all information relating to the boating accident of August 11, 2019, in which Sandra G. Tartaglino, 60, of 46 Arrowhead Drive, Tiverton, RI was killed. Please provide the name of the operator and passenger of the other vessel. Please email all external and internal communications." The request by GoLocal was filed on September 4, 2019.
On Monday, RI DEM’s issued a letter to GoLocal further delay the release of public documents for an additional 20 working days — de facto, running the clock for 45 days after the initial records request.
“This office is in receipt of your request received September 3, 2019, pursuant to the Access to Public Records Act, R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 38-2, to inspect and/or copy certain public records.
For good cause, the Department will not be able to schedule your file review within the ten (10) business days of receipt of your request that is typically prescribed by the Act due to the following: number of requests pending,” according to RIDEM’s Angela M. Spadoni.
"Therefore, pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws Section 38-2-7(b), the Department will need an additional twenty (20) business days in which to provide the requested records. The Department will however endeavor to make the records available for you as soon as possible and, unless further correspondence is provided to you, will comply with your request to inspect/copy the requested public records no later than thirty (30) business days of receipt of your request," wrote Spadoni.
The sailing group USF18 posted the following on their Facebook page to pay tribute to Tartaglino and her contributions to the sailing community on August 14, 2019:
Here is the excerpt from the Facebook post on Monday, August 12:
With a very heavy heart, on behalf of the USF18 Class and entire sailing community, we would like to pass our condolences and prayers to the family and friends of Sandra Tartaglino who passed away yesterday after a tragic collision with a motorboat during the New England 100 regatta in Newport, RI.
Sandra had organized this 30th anniversary event and she was at the very first one 30 years ago. Her parents were on site Saturday night for their annual support of providing their famous Stuffed Quahogs. As always, she was giving back to the sport which she loved so much.
Sandra was actively serving as USF18 Class Treasurer which she held for many years, her presence will be impossible to be replaced. She always went above and beyond in the interest of the class and anyone that needed her help. Her support was instrumental in many events in the Northeast and all throughout the country.
Sandra loved catamaran sailing so much that she sailed anything from Nacra 6.0s in the Worrell 1000, Hobie 16s to Nacra 17s and more, she was a true competitor. She actively competed and placed in many major Championships.
Always thinking of others, she would bring brownies to give away during pack up at nearly every event. In 2014, when she couldn’t make it to the F18 North American Championships in Texas, she mailed a giant batch of her famous brownies to her fellow sailors and friends. A true testament to how caring of a person she was.
Just one week ago she handily won the Buzzards Bay Regatta on her F18 and this past weekend she was organizing the regatta in which this accident occurred.
Sandra was an amazing woman, tough competitor, and dear friend we all learned so much from her on and off the water. While she passed away doing what she loved, she was taken far too soon and will be truly missed.
Thank you for everything Sandra. Fair Winds and may you rest in peace.