Plea Deal Reached in December Kanga Bay Boating Accident

Chatham Conner and his passenger were hoisted by the Coast Guard in Sitka after crashing into the rocks in Kanga Bay. Image-USCG-Sitka
Chatham Conner and his passenger were hoisted by the Coast Guard in Sitka after crashing into the rocks in Kanga Bay. Image-USCG-Sitka

On Sunday, Alaska State troopers announced court results stemming from an investigation that began in December of 2014 regarding a boating accident with injuries in Kanga Bay, South of Sitka.

In a plea deal on January 22, 2015, 20-year-old Chatham Conner pled guilty to DUI and Reckless Endangerment. As a result, charges of Misconduct Involving Weapons IV and Assault IV were dismissed. Conner was sentenced to a total of 180 days in jail with 167 suspended. He was also fined $2000 with $500 suspended. Also, as part of the plea deal, Connor is to “complete a hunter safety classes and is not to operate motorized watercraft until January 28, 2016.” he is also ordered not to consume, buy, or possess alcohol. Connor’s rifle was also forfeited.

it was on the night of December 27 that Chatham Conner, and 18-year-old Alexis Massimiano had gone out in a Boston Whaler and subsequently hit a charted rock 10 miles south of Sitka in Kanga Bay. When they did so, both occupants were ejected from the watercraft and thrown on the rocks.

Conner suffered head injuries while his passenger emerged unscathed. After being ejected, their boat drifted away and they could not retrieve it. 

A watercraft was launched by the Sitka Fire Department, and a helicopter was launched from Air Station Sitka. The responding MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter lifted both the board and proceeded back to Sitka where Conner was taken to the Mount Edgecombe Hospital for treatment of his injuries.

In mid-January, after a trooper investigation, charges were leveled at Connor in Sitka court.

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