By Jim Hannah
The Cincinnati Enquirer

DAYTON, Ky. - More than a month after a highly publicized hit-and-run boat accident on the Ohio River, investigators continue to interview potential witnesses and await test results from the state crime lab.

The owner of the boat that allegedly left the scene, Glenn C. Colann of the Columbus suburb of Gahanna, has been the only suspect named by prosecutors. Colann has denied any involvement in the June 27 crash and has not been charged.

"I want to stress that we do feel like this investigation is proceeding at the rate it should," said Assistant Commonwealth Attorney Michelle Snodgrass. "We have made good progress."

She said accommodating people's work schedules has delayed interviewing potential witnesses.

Agencies involved in the investigation beyond the small Dayton, Ky., police force include the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife, responsible for enforcing the state's waterway laws, and the Kenton County Police Evidence Collection Unit.

Investigators are still awaiting results from tests on 13 scrapings and on the boat's propellers and steering wheel.

The items were sent to the state crime lab, which has come under fire in recent months for long delays in processing evidence, including for drug cases and homicide investigations.

The laboratory that conducts tests for all Kentucky criminal courts is struggling with a record backlog of 10,000 cases.

The backlog means that the laboratory, with six locations across the state, needs up to six months to complete DNA, blood and other tests before cases can be brought to trial.

The investigation focused on Colann after the mayor of Moscow, Ohio, told police he saw a man taking a damaged speedboat with the name "Snap Decision" out of the water in that village.

Police said they have evidence that Colann was in the area the night of the crash. Colann has voluntarily turned his boat over to police, who have placed it in storage at a Campbell County garage.

Witnesses to the crash say a large "cigarette-style" boat hit a 21-foot pleasure craft near the Queen City Riverboat landing during darkness.

The pleasure craft acted like a ramp, sending the larger boat flying over the top. Its propellers chopped up the upholstery of the smaller boat.

Six people were injured in the crash.

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E-mail jhannah@enquirer.com