DESTIN — The boating accident that claimed three lives — including that of a former Bay High basketball coach — remains under investigation.
Rob Williams, 47, of Niceville, Taylor M. Evanoff, 18, of Niceville, and Jamilia Beltz, 21, whose address was not available, were killed when Rob Williams' boat hit a piling under the Mid-Bay Bridge about a half-mile north of Legendary Marine. There were apparently no witnesses to the incident, according to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission spokesman Stan Kirkland.
Kirkland said a marine salvage company will remove the wreckage sometime early this week, which may lead to more answers about what happened.
“You can learn some details by looking at the motor,” Kirkland said. “There are computers on the motor. At this time, it appears that no one heard or saw what happened so we'll have to look at the boat.”
Williams was Bay High School boys basketball coach for five seasons, with regional appearances in each season and the school’s first state Final Four berth in 2003. Williams left Bay in 2004. He was born in Port St. Joe and a graduate of Wewahitchka High School and Gulf Coast Community College.
Beltz’ identity was not initially released. Her body was discovered in Joe's Bayou Saturday evening.
Evanoff'’s body was pulled from Choctawhatchee Bay about a mile south of Dana Point on Friday afternoon. Williams' body was found Saturday morning near the wreckage.
Investigators discovered that the three were dropped off at Legendary Marine late Thursday by a taxi, which officials believe is shortly before the wreck occurred.