Mizzou student among those dead in Lake of the Ozarks boating crash

University of Missouri student Hailey Marie Hochanadel, 21, of Olathe, KS, died on Saturday after a 1991 Regal Runabout crashed into a rock bluff at the Lake of the Ozarks. Hochanadel was a junior in Arts and Sciences at MU and was in the Gamma Phi Beta Sorority.

“Haily Hochanadel was a vibrant spirit with a compassionate soul. Her fun-loving personality, coupled with her ability to create laughter and joy, attracted those around her.” MU’s Panhellenic Association said in a statement. “With sorrow in our hearts, we offer our deepest condolences to those mourning the tragic loss of Hailey Hochanadel, including her family, friends and sisters in Gamma Phi Beta.”

According to the official report, the boat was headed upstream and struck a rock bluff, ejecting the driver and two other occupants into the water.

“We’re not entirely sure of all the details,” Camden County Prosecuting Attorney Heather Miller said. “It was reported that the driver was leaving a residence, it was night, ran into the face of a cliff and there were ultimately three fatalities that occurred.”

The report stated the driver, 22-year-old Hayden Frazier, of Overland Park, KS, got back in the boat and paddled to a dock across the channel. He was taken to Lake Regional Hospital and was also arrested on suspicion of boating while intoxicated.

Miller said Frazier has not been charged yet because there are too many details outstanding. Frazier was arrested and briefly detained after the crash, but was later released.

Daniel Lewis, 24, of Overland Park, KS, was found dead inside of the boat. Joseph Lewmark, 23, of Overland Park, KS, was found dead by dragging operations and Hochanadel was found dead by divers.

Ashley Lamb, 21, of Olathe, KS, was flown to Mercy Hospital in Springfield for serious injuries.

Miller said the investigation is ongoing and she expects- “more details about speed, direction and who was driving and of course if there were any substances involved.”

She said the investigators are taking what they have found in the aftermath of the crash and are trying to put the pieces back together.

Miller said this is a rare occurrence because of how many people died in a single boat crash.

“The Lake of the Ozarks is a wonderful place,” Miller said. “But as far as boating, we have ample opportunities for alcohol and other substances to become involved and when they do it becomes a very dangerous place for those who don’t respect the water and don’t respect their responsibility to drive sober.”

Miller hopes that alcohol and other substances did not lead to this crash but added, “unfortunately because of the history of this place, that’s always a possibility.”

“Driving at night on the Lake of the Ozarks is especially challenging.” Miller said. “Especially on an overcast night like this was.”