A Missouri Southern State University professor has died after being struck by a boat at Beaver Lake, Arkansas, and a lakeside resident says the vessel involved took off without stopping. Dr. Alla Barry, 74, was identified by state officials as the woman killed in the collision, which happened in the White River arm of the lake just north of War Eagle Marina in Benton County.
According to YourCentralValley.com, the accident occurred on September 4, and Barry's body was later recovered from the water. Brad Wiegmann, who has lived on his Beaver Lake property for nearly 40 years, told the outlet a boat struck a person in the water and then left the area without stopping; people nearby used a kayak and floating mats to respond, and a ski boat towed one of the floating mats. The report did not identify the boat or its operator.
Officials Confirm Identity, Open Investigation
AGFC Assistant Chief of Communication Trey Reid publicly identified Barry on September 7 and confirmed that state game wardens are actively investigating the collision, according to 5NEWS. The investigation remains ongoing.
AGFC officials told 5NEWS that the stretch of the White River arm where the collision happened is relatively narrow and routinely carries heavy recreational boat traffic, compressing navigation lanes near swimmers. The commission has also named Beaver Lake and Lake Hamilton as the state's primary hotspots for boating collisions. Statewide, boating fatalities and incidents have been reported in Arkansas.
A Career That Spanned Two Continents
Barry was a professor at Missouri Southern State University.
The university announced her death following a tragic boating accident.
University Offers Support to Grieving Campus
Missouri Southern State University has addressed support for the campus community, according to The Turner Report.
The university's outreach reflects Barry's presence on campus. As the AGFC's investigation into the collision continues, questions remain about the boat involved and whether Beaver Lake's crowded waterways will see new scrutiny in the wake of her death.
