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Father of 4-year-old killed in houseboat accident dies

Posted at 3:02 PM, Jul 06, 2017
and last updated 2017-07-10 17:56:02-04

The father of a 4-year-old killed in the tragic Lake Belton houseboat accident has died, according to Temple Police.  

The father, Patrick Oliver, passed away at 9:34 a.m. at Scott & White Hospital. He was pronounced dead by Justice of the Peace GW Wiley. 

Oliver and his daughter, Kaitlyn, 4, were involved in a tragic incident on Lake Belton on June 23 when Jason Bernal, 43, allegedly struck Kaitlyn with a houseboat. 

According to police, Kaitlyn was playing in the water when a houseboat backed up and ran over her. She became tangled in the propeller, receiving lacerations all over her body. Temple police said Patrick jumped in to save her but became tangled up in the propeller as well.

The propeller severed both of his legs. 

According to the arrest affidavit, a witness said that she told the driver of the boat not to park in this area because of the children swimming. The same witness also said she attempted to help the man and child during the incident. She said that the boat was in full throttle while backing up. 

Bernal was arrested and charged with criminally negligent homicide. It is unclear if any other charges will be added.

Oliver's body has been sent to Dallas for an autopsy. His cause of death hasn't been released. 

Crotty Funeral Home, who also offered to cover the funeral expenses of Kaitlyn, said Thursday they will cover the funeral expenses of Patrick Oliver as well. 

You can donate to Kaitlyn Oliver's GoFundMe page here.

Patrick and Kaitlyn Oliver will have a joint funeral,held Saturday, July 15 at 3 p.m. The service is at Temple Bible Church and the public is invited to attend. 

More on KXXV: 
+Suspect charged with homicide for death of 4-year-old struck by houseboat
+Members of CTX community remember 4-year-old victim of houseboat tragedy

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