KINGMAN, Ariz. – Defense attorney Scott Ruffner said he expects the La Paz County Attorney’s Office to tender a plea agreement offer to resolve a criminal case involving a deadly boating accident on the Colorado River. Ruffner’s comments came during a Sept. 18 hearing for Larry Lyons, 49, Dallas, Texas.
Lyons faces second-degree murder, aggravated assault and impairment related charges for the June 13, 2025 crash of the boat he was operating that struck Idiot Rock, north of the Sundance Saloon.
Boat passenger Ryan Gilbert, Palm Desert, California was killed. Six of the other eight people aboard the vessel were flown to area hospitals for treatment of their injuries.
The case is being heard in Mohave County, by Judge Billy Sipe, due to an undisclosed La Paz County conflict.
Ruffner told Sipe that he’s working to secure expert witnesses. Prosecutor Rachel Shackelford said she has directed law enforcement to conduct additional investigation.
Shackelford said she and case victims oppose Ruffner’s request to modify release conditions so that Lyons can drive to and from work in Texas while his case is pending. She said Lyons recklessly drove the boat while high on cocaine and that he has prior convictions for reckless driving and driving without a license.
Sipe said that Lyons enjoys the presumption of innocence in his current case, and that limited, employment-related driving is a reasonable request.
Sipe said any trial will not be held until next year. He scheduled the next hearing for Oct. 30.
