Investigation continues into boat collision at Herrington Lake July 4

FRANKFORT, Ky. (July 23, 2026) — Game wardens with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources and the Mercer County Commonwealth Attorney's Office continue to investigate a boating incident that occurred on Herrington Lake on Saturday, July 4, 2026, that left one man dead, another man critically injured, and multiple others also injured.

The preliminary investigation found that two boats collided, a wake boat being operated by Cody Casey, 34, of Harrodsburg, Kentucky, and a pontoon boat being operated by Alex Svintozelskiy, 58, of Nicholasville, Kentucky. A passenger on the pontoon, Nazar Svintozelskiy, 25, of Nicholasville, was ejected into the water. His body was recovered from the lake two days later.

The investigation remains active and ongoing. Investigators are continuing to gather and evaluate evidence to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident. 

As part of the investigative process, search warrants have been and are continuing to be sought and executed, witnesses interviewed, and multiple items of evidence have been submitted for forensic and evidentiary testing. Those results are pending and are an important part of ensuring the investigation is complete and accurate.

At this time, investigators are not releasing additional details regarding the evidence collected, the results of any testing or potential investigative findings. Releasing that information prematurely could compromise the integrity of the investigation and any subsequent legal proceedings. Once the investigation is complete, the findings will be reviewed in accordance with applicable law and prosecutorial procedures.

Additional information will be released as confirmed facts become available and when it is legally appropriate to do so.

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.​​