SEATTLE — SEATTLE -- The Renton man and former University of Washington football player accused in a fatal boat crash on Lake Washington pleaded not guilty Monday to homicide by watercraft and two counts of assault by watercraft.
On July 16, Richard Hicks' powerboat rammed the sailboat Melissa Protz and friends were on, investigators said. Protz was killed and several others were hurt.
Police said Hicks was drunk when he was driving the boat.
KIRO 7 confronted Hicks about the deadly boat crash on Lake Washington police say he caused.
“No comment,” said Hicks when KIRO 7 asked him about the deadly boat crash. KIRO 7 also asked Hicks what he has to say to the victims and vicitims’ families. “Not right now,” Hicks said as he sat in a King County courtroom.
His lawyer did the speaking when he went before a judge and entered the not guilty plea. Hicks, a real estate agent, is out on $250,000 bail.
A judge added a few conditions Monday: Hicks can’t drink alcohol, be anywhere alcohol is served, or drive a boat.
Hicks’ case setting hearing is scheduled for Aug. 18.
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