Boat collision at Herrington Lake under investigation

FRANKFORT, Ky. (July 10, 2026) — Game ​wardens with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources are investigating a boating incident that occurred on Herrington Lake on Saturday, July 4, 2026, that left one man dead and another hospitalized.

A preliminary investigation found that two boats collided, a wake boat being operated by Cody Casey, age 34, of Harrodsburg, Kentucky, and a pontoon boat being operated by Alex Svintozelskiy, age 58, of Nicholasville, Kentucky.

A passenger on the pontoon, Nazar Svintozelskiy, age 25, of Nicholasville, Kentucky, was ejected into the water. His body was recovered from Herrington Lake on Monday, July 6. The cause of death will be determined by the State Medical Examiner's Office in Frankfort, Kentucky.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Svintozelskiy family during this extremely difficult time," said Col. Jeremy McQueary, director of the Law Enforcement Division for Kentucky Fish and Wildlife. “We pray for continued healing and recovery for Alex and express our condolences for the loss of his son."

This investigation is being led by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources Law Enforcement Division in collaboration with the Commonwealth Attorney's Office. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Law Enforcement via Kentucky State Police Post 7 at 859-623-2404.​