2 boaters sentenced for role in Pineview swimmer's death


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OGDEN — Two men received the maximum sentence Wednesday for their roles in the death of a University of Utah cancer researcher.

In February, Robert Cole Boyer, 30, and Colton Raines, 23, were convicted on reckless endangerment and obstruction of justice charges relating to the 2011 boating accident on Pineview Reservoir that killed Esther Fujimoto, 49.

It is believed Raines was driving the boat after a day of boating and drinking at the reservoir and hit Esther Fujimoto. He and Boyer, along with a third man, Skyler Shepherd, said testified they only drove away after the swimmer told them she she was OK. She later died.

In January, Shepherd was sentenced to 2 1/2 years in jail for his role in the accident. At their sentencing hearing Wednesday, 2nd District Judge Ernie Jones described Boyer's and Raines' actions as a "callous, reckless disregard for human life."

Esther Fujimoto
Esther Fujimoto

Boyer was sent to jail for one year; Raines got 2 ½ years. Ultimately, Jones said it was the use of alcohol and drugs that led to the decision by all three men aboard that boat to cover up the truth.

Families on both sides of a difficult trial walked away in sadness.

"This is a day of broken hearts," said Bryan Fujimoto, Esther Fujimoto's brother. "There's no victory. There's no celebrating."

But Raines' cousin Marsha Winter had only feelings of anger and frustration over what happened to the lives of the three men whom she is convinced are innocent.

"I just feel it's a raw deal for them," Winter said. "It kills me because I know what a good kid (Raines) is."

"You know what?" she said. "(Esther Fujimoto) really brought this on herself by swimming where she shouldn't be swimming."

Esther Fujimoto was outside the swimming area, wearing a dark wetsuit. Bit after hearing testimony in two trials, the judge did not pull any punches, saying what started out as an accident went terribly wrong as the three men tried to cover it up to save themselves.


You know what? ...(Esther Fujimoto) really brought this on herself by swimming where she shouldn't be swimming.

–Marsha Winter, Colton Raines' cousin


"It has been stated that there has been contrition by the three criminals. I don't see it," Bryan Fujimoto said.

The defense and adult probation and parole recommended Raines and Boyer receive six months each.

"At some point, enough is enough; and to me it seemed the sentence was excessive," said defense attorney Greg Skordas.

The sentencing was tough on all families involved, as all of them are now impacted by one accident.

"I love that boy," Winter said of Raines. "He is not a bad boy."

"She lives on even after her physical death, in the things that she did," Bryan Fujimoto said of his sister.

He added the one good thing that came out of this was a new law, passed in 2012, making similar hit-and-run boating accidents a felony.

Contributing: Jordan Ormond

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