Man threw woman off a boat, led authorities on chase across Missouri lake, prosecutors say
A Missouri man is accused of throwing a woman off a boat before leading state troopers on a high-speed boat chase at the Lake of the Ozarks Saturday evening.
Loren Michael Peters, 39, of Sunrise Beach, was charged with one felony count of resisting arrest and misdemeanor counts of boating while intoxicated. Prosecutors also charged Peters with reckless operation of a motorboat, failure to register a vessel and failure to display navigation lights.
The Morgan County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Monday afternoon that Peters was released after posting a $50,000 bond. Domestic violence charges have not been filed as of Monday.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Peters led troopers on a nine-minute chase that began on the water and continued on foot into the surrounding woods.
“On July 12, 2025, at approximately 8:19 p.m., Troop F Radio was advised of a domestic assault involving an adult male throwing an adult female off a vessel in Davey Hollow Cove at Lake of the Ozarks,” the Highway Patrol reported.
While on their way to the scene, troopers noticed the boat, an orange 2023 Hayaari Marine H44Z, at the 10-mile mark of the main channel. The boat sped away as troopers tried to conduct a stop, according to authorities.
The boat entered Mill Creek Cove and docked near Walleye Drive. After abandoning the boat, the suspect then led troopers on a foot chase through a nearby neighborhood and into the woods before being arrested without incident at 8:43 p.m.
Details of boat chase and arrest
The Morgan County charging documents filed on Sunday include a signed statement by Trooper Caleb Hirner recounting the pursuit and arrest.
According to Hirner, when police first encountered Peters, he was operating the boat — “a large orange vessel with four outboard motors” — in a reasonable manner. Hirner says that changed when he and his partner attempted to make contact with the suspect.
“While attempting to overtake Peters, the vessel rapidly increased speed and began gaining separation. I activated my patrol vessel’s emergency lights and sirens,” Hirner wrote. “Peters continued and began operating his vessel in a careless and imprudent manner by operating at high rate of speed around other vessels. During this time, the vessel was not displaying navigational lights when required.”
The trooper said that Peters sped into the Gravois Arm, entered Mill Creek Cove and ditched the boat before fleeing on foot. Peters eventually complied with troopers’ commands and was taken into custody, according to court records.
Hirner said he spelled alcohol on Peters and noticed that his eyes appeared bloodshot and his speech was delayed.
According to the trooper, Peters refused to submit to a breathalyzer test.
If convicted, Peters could be sentenced to seven years in prison for resisting arrest and be ordered to pay a $10,000 fine. Each misdemeanor conviction carries up to an additional year in the county jail and multiple $1,000 fines.
Prosecutors outlined 19 prior convictions that Peters racked up between 2003 and 2024 in Missouri and Kansas. Many of the past convictions are for minor vehicle infractions.
Peters was also found guilty in Johnson County last July of criminal damage to property without consent, which is considered a domestic violence offense in Kansas.
Peters could not be reached for comment on Monday.
