Widow Of Forked River Man Files Suit Over Boating Accident That Killed Her Husband: Report

A Forked River woman has filed suit against the crew members of the boat "No Worries," the boat manufacturer, and lobster fisherman in the area after her husband was struck and killed by a propeller while he was trying untangle lobster lines, according to nj.com.

Kimberly Sturman, the widow of captain Jeffrey S. Sturman, who died in the July 26, 2014 accident, filed a civil action in U.S. District Court on Wednesday that demands a trial by jury and losses for her and her two minor sons, her attorney, Lawrence W. Luttrell said.

She is claiming negligence or "wrong acts" by all parties involved, he said.

Jeffrey Sturman, 47, was killed in Ocean City, Maryland when his boat went into reverse after he detangled the lines. That restarted the propellers, which hit him in the head, Lutrell said.

The suit names all parties involved with the sale and manufacturing of the boat, the lobster fishermen in the area at the time of the accident, and the crew members.

He and three crew members had been fishing for tuna about 60 miles off the coast of Ocean City, Maryland aboard his sport fishing boat "No Worries," Luttrell said.

The crew members named in the suit include Kevin R. Hoffman and Bret Oberhauser of Forked River and Lawrence J. Hoffman Jr. of Lanoka Harbor.

The three have told authorities they had no idea how the idling boat went into reverse while Sturman was still in the water, Luttrell said.

To read the entire story, click here.

Photo: Patch file photo.