Shark Tank star Kevin O'Leary involved in fatal boat accident

(Image credit: Andrew Burton/Getty Images)

published 29 August 2019

Reality TV star, businessman, and Canadian political commentator Kevin O'Leary confirmed Wednesday that he was on a boat that collided with a second boat on Saturday night on Ontario's Lake Joseph, about two hours north of Toronto. Two passengers on the other boat have died — Gary Poltash, 64, who died at the scene; and Susanne Brito, 48, who died from her injuries on Tuesday.

O'Leary, who appears on the U.S. show Shark Tank and Canada's Dragons' Den, said in a statement that the other boat "had no navigation lights on and then fled the scene." Ontario police say both boats left the scene but declined to comment on other details while the incident is under investigation. O'Leary's wife was driving the boat, his agent told CNN, and she passed a sobriety test.

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.