By PAVEL BAILEY
Tribune Staff Reporter
pbailey@tribunemedia.net
A CORONER’S Court jury has returned a finding of gross negligence manslaughter against Exuma boat captain Kenson Rolle over a 2024 collision that killed an American woman and left her husband critically injured near Staniel Cay.
Rolle sat silently as the five-member jury delivered its finding before Coroner Kara Turnquest Deveaux on Friday.
The jury could alternatively have returned a finding of accidental death.
Anja Hass Boyd, a retired draftsman of the Colorado State Capitol, died after Rolle’s 38ft Intrepid vessel struck the 9ft dinghy she was travelling in with her husband, Michael Boyd, near Staniel Cay and Big Major Cay on March 24, 2024.
The force of the collision ejected the Boyds from the dinghy.
Rolle’s vessel was equipped with three 300 Yamaha VC engines and was operating on a temporary cruising permit at the time of the crash.
A pathologist told jurors that Mrs Boyd died from blunt force trauma to the head, torso and extremities.
The court also heard that a propeller struck Mrs Boyd in the head and that she suffered fractures to her pelvis, spine and ribs.
The defence argued that the Boyds’ dinghy had travelled into the path of Rolle’s vessel and that the couple was unfamiliar with the area.
However, the first mate gave conflicting testimony about how the collision occurred.
A GoFundMe campaign was launched days after the accident to assist Mr Boyd with his recovery and the costs arising from his wife’s death.
The fundraiser said he had suffered broken bones and was unable to walk following the crash. Organisers said donations would help cover his out-of-pocket medical expenses, transportation from The Bahamas to his home in Colorado, and the cost of transporting Mrs Boyd and paying for her funeral.
The campaign ultimately raised more than $20,000 from 244 donations, exceeding its $15,000 goal.
Then-Commissioner of Police Clayton Fernander also said shortly after the accident that preliminary information suggested the captain of the larger vessel may not have noticed the smaller boat in its path before the collision.
The crash subsequently became part of wider calls for improved boating safety in the Exuma Cays.
Following the jury’s finding, Rolle was granted $9,500 bail until he returns to court on December 7.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions will determine whether criminal charges will follow.
Bjorn Ferguson represented Rolle.
Ezranda T Bodie served as evidence marshal.
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