By Sheila McLaughlin
The Cincinnati Enquirer

BELLEVUE - A forensic expert working for a Columbus area car dealer implicated in a hit-and-run boat crash on the Ohio River is conducting his own investigation into the incident.

Jim Morgan, attorney for boat owner Glenn Colann of Gahanna, Ohio, said he has hired the expert, an engineer with a background in accident reconstruction, to check over Colann's 40-foot Baja speedboat "Snap Decision."

"We felt it was necessary, especially under the circumstances, since we believe there are pretty serious questions whether this boat was involved in a crash or not," Morgan said.

While there was visible damage to one of the boat's three outdrives, Morgan has said he did not believe the damage was consistent with a collision with another watercraft.

Colann has not been charged as police continue to secure evidence from the boat, interview witnesses and the victims in the pleasure craft that was struck June 27 near the Queen City Riverboat landing. Six of the seven people in the 21-foot pleasure boat were injured.

The investigation focused on Colann after the mayor of Moscow, Ohio, told police he saw a man taking a damaged speed boat with the name "Snap Decision" out of the water in that village.

Police said they have evidence that Colann was in the area the night of the crash. Colann voluntarily turned the boat over to police Tuesday for inspection.

E-mail smclaughlin@enquirer.com