NEWS RELEASE September 3, 2019 For immediate release MAN SLAUGHTER INDICTMEN RETURNED IN BOATING CRASH The Lauderdale County Grand Jury has returned an indictment against Ross Newton Wooten also known as Trey Wooten DOB: 448-86)) for two counts of Manslaughter for recklessly causing the deaths of Lauren Cowart and her ?ve-year-old daughter, Blakely in a boating crash. The crash occurred at approximately 10:30 pm. on June 8th in Shoals Creek near the mouth of the Tennessee River The Indictment states that Wooten was ?under the in?uence? at the time of the crash. (Copy of indictment attached) A Toxicological Analysis Report from the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences attached to the indictment indicates that Wooten had a blood alcohol content of .121. This amwnt is above the legal limit of .08. Wdoten?s bond has been set at $50,000. It is expected that he will turn himself in by 5:00 pm. tomorrow. The primary focus of the investigation up to this point has been on determining who was at fault in causing the deaths of two precious people. The Grand Jury Indictment has answered that question with the indictment of Wooten. A secondary issue concerns the actions of the other boat driver, Mark after the crash occurred. The investigation into this issue remains pending and will be further considered by the grand jury later this month. Facts: The crash investigation, led by Marine Police Investigator Chad Dyer, reveals the following: Wooten was the driver of a ski boat occupied by himself and his four-year-old son along with Lauren Cowart and her ?ve-year?old daughter. [Wooten?s son was sitting in his lap in the driver?s seat of the boat; Lauren and her daughter were seated in the passenger seat of the boat. Wooten was driving from the Emerald Beach area of Shoal Creek towards the Tennessee River with an intended destination of his mother?s residence in Colbert County. The crash occurred near the area of ?Robbins Island? when Wooten crashed his boat into the front of a thirty (30) foot cabin cruiser driven by Mark and occupied by wife and her sister as well as adult son and his friend. The were returning from an outing on the water that included them traveling from Marina Mar where they have their boat docked, thru the looks at Wilson Dam to McFarland Park and back. They were traveling at approximately 6 miles per hour at the time of the crash. Wooten?s speed at the time of the crash is estimated at 20 to 25 miles per hour; After the crash, drove the boat from the crash site to Marina Mar. On the way to the marina, individuals on his boat called 911. Wooten?s boat sustained heavy damage, primarily on the passenger side of the boat. No one ?'om either boat was thrown into the water. Lauren and her daughter died on the boat from multiple blunt force trauma. Wooten was seriously injured in the crash. He and his son remained on the boat and yelled for help. Wooten and his son were rescued by three young ?shermen, who were ?shing in the area and heard their cries for help. and the occupants of his boat remained at the marina and were interviewed by Investigator Dyer. The grand jury will now further review actions after the crash to determine whether his actions warrant a charge of Leaving the Scene of an Accident. Released by: Lauderdale County District Attorney Chris Connolly 200 Court St. Suite 200 Florence, AL 35630 Phone: 256-764-6351 Email: chris@daconnolly.com INDICTMENT STATE OF ALABAMA 7W (5.463): CUIT COURT i LAUDERDALE COUNTY IR Term: COIJNT I (Manslaughter) 7 The Grand Jury of said County charge, before the ?nding of this indictment, Ross Newton Wooten a/k/a ?Trey? Wooten, whose name is otherwise unknown. to the Grand Jury, did recklessly cause the death of Lauren Cowart by crashing a boat he was driving into another boat while the said Ross Newton Wooten a/k/a ?Trey? Wooten was under the in?uence (See Toxicological Analysis Report of Ross Newton Wooten a/k/a ?Trey? Wooten (ADFS. Case# attached hereto as Exhibit A), in violation of Section 13A-6-3 of the Code of Alabama, against the peace and dignity of the State of Alabama. COUNT II (Manslaughter) The Grand Jury of said County charge, before the ?nding of this indictment, Ross Newton Wooten a/k/a ?Trey?Wooten, whose name is otherwise unknown to the Grand Jury, did recklessly cause the death of Blakely Cowart by crashing a_ boat he was driving into another boat while the said Ross Newton Wooten HI a/k/a ?Trey? Wooten was under the in?uence (See Toxicological Analysis Report of Ross Newton Wooten a/k/a ?Trey? Wooten (ADFS Case# 19BH 12515) attached hereto as Exhibit A), in violation of Section l3A-6-3 of the Code of Alabama, against the peace and dignity of the State of Alabama. L/f Ch?is Connolly District Attorney - Eleventh Judicial Circuit ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF FORENSIC SCIENCES 2026 Valleydnle Road Telephone (205) 982-9292 Hoover, AL 35244-2095 Facsimile (205) 403-2025 TOXICOLOGICAL ANALYSIS REPORT ADFS Case Number 19BH12515 Chad Dyer DPS - Highway Patrol - Shef?eld Post Agency Case Number 4500 Hatch Blvd. Case Date 06/ 14/2019 Date Completed 08/05/2019 Report ID 120192559 Suspect Wooten, Ross eurtOn Evidence received (including subitems) Item Specimen Received From Agency Date 1 Toxicology specimen(s) Chad Dyer DPS - Highway Patrol - Shef?eld Post 06/14/2019 1A Blood Chad Dyer DPS Highway Patrol - Shef?eld Post 06/14/2019 1B Blood Chad Dyer DPS - Highway Patrol Shef?eld Post 06/14/2019 1C Blood Chad Dyer DPS - Highway Patrol - Shef?eld Post 06/14/2019 1D Blood Chad Dyer DPS - Highway Patrol - Shef?eld Post 06/14/2019 1E Urine Chad Dyer DPS - Highway Patrol - Shef?eld Post 06/14/2019 Evidence analyzed (Including sub-items) Item Specimen Analyte Result Method(s) Notes Blood Ethanol 0.121 g/100 mL lA-lB Blood Buprenorphine EIA, lA~lB Blood Norbuprenorphine 1.5 ng/mL BIA, lC-lD Blood NA 1E Urine Ethanol 0.149 g/lUO mL Footnotes NA - Not analyzed/ Not applicable Analysis was unsuccessful ACCREDITED ONE DEPARTMENT - ONE GOAL EXCELLENCE Satisfaction Accredited laboratory System Surveys are available at 2003.mel FORENSIC TESTING LABORATORY Page 1 of2 ?3 a ADFS Case Number I9BH12515 TOXICOLOGICAL ANALYSIS REPORT Report ID 120192559 Comments Evidence was received in a sealed biological specimens ldt. Items labeled, in part, Trey Item 1E labeled, in part, SCOPE OF DRUG ANALYSIS IS LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING: Amphetamine class, barbiturate class, beazodiazepine class, buprenorphine, cannabinoids, carisoprodol/meprobamate, cocaine and/ or metabolite(s), cyclobenzaprlne, dextromethorphan, fentanyl, methadone, opiate class, tramadol, tricyclic antidepressants, zolpidem Remaining evidence Id? be disposed 24 months from the date of dis report unless storage space becomes limited or alternate magenenm are made prior thereto. 08/ 02/ 201 9 Michael L. Weaver Forensic Scientist Page 2 of2