A professional bass fisherman has been indicted on three counts of manslaughter following a devastating boat crash that occurred during a Major League Fishing (MLF) tournament on April 16 at Lewis Smith Lake. The collision claimed the lives of three men and injured two others.
According to court documents and multiple reports, 22-year-old Flint Davis of Leesburg, Georgia, was operating a Nitro Bass Boat at approximately 67 miles per hour when it struck a center console vessel around 7 a.m. during Day 2 of the MLF Tackle Warehouse Invitational. The impact resulted in the deaths of Joey Broom (48) of Altoona, John Clark (44) of Cullman, and Jeffrey Little (62) of Brandon, Mississippi. Davis, the sole occupant of his vessel, was also injured in the crash and transported to Cullman Regional Hospital for treatment.
Authorities confirmed that Clark and Little were thrown overboard by the collision and drowned. Broom was reportedly struck directly by Davis’ boat and was pronounced dead at the scene. Two other occupants of the center console — Gary Holcomb (51) of Cullman and Luke Morgan (30) of Albertville — survived the crash but sustained serious injuries. They were treated at UAB Hospital.
Indictment and Charges
On October 4, the Cullman County District Attorney’s Office announced that Davis had been indicted by a grand jury on three counts of manslaughter and two counts of assault. He also faces charges of reckless operation of a vessel, failure to follow boating rules of the road, and boating without a boater safety certification.
“There are rules of the road when it comes to the water just like there is on the highway,” said Cullman County District Attorney Champ Crocker during a press conference. “And we want the public to understand and follow these rules and appreciate the dangers of not doing so.”
Investigators emphasized that neither weather nor alcohol were contributing factors in the crash. “The weather was not a factor. Other vessel traffic was not a factor,” confirmed Chief Matt Brooks with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.
Davis’ bond was set at $115,000.
Legal Fallout
The tragedy has sparked both criminal and civil litigation. Attorney Hunter Garnett, representing the family of Joey Broom, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Davis. Garnett described the indictment as “the first big step for the family for seeking justice.”
Jeffrey Little’s family has also filed a separate wrongful death lawsuit against Davis.
MLF and Angling Community Respond
The Major League Fishing organization confirmed Davis’ involvement in the crash shortly after the incident but withheld further comment pending the investigation.
“This is a heartbreaking moment for our entire organization,” said Kathy Fennel, MLF Executive Vice President, in a statement. “Our deepest condolences go out to the families and friends of those affected by this tragedy.”
MLF has since said it is cooperating fully with law enforcement and is awaiting the outcome of the legal proceedings. No further disciplinary actions against Davis have been publicly announced by the organization.
Tragic Video Released
As part of the ongoing investigation, the Cullman County District Attorney’s Office released video footage showing the moments leading up to the crash, though it has not been made widely available to the public. The footage reportedly supports the prosecution’s claims regarding speed and failure to follow boating safety rules. Wired2fish decided not to link it here, as it is graphic in nature.
Ongoing Investigation
While the indictment marks a major development, the case is still unfolding. Prosecutors have indicated that further charges could be possible depending on the outcome of civil lawsuits and additional forensic findings.
