Kevin O'Leary's Tweet About 'Shark Tank' After Fatal Boat Crash Has Social Media Fuming
Kevin O’Leary is being called “tone deaf” after he took to social media to promote the [...]
"Stay off social media"
One of O'Leary's followers, from Uxbridge, Ontario was quick to slam his social media activity, writing that he "should stay off social media. It look less than remorseful. Hope your creating a fund for those children that are left without a mom."
Several more seemed to agree with that sentiment.
"You are absolutely correct," one person replied to the comment. "He should simply lay low for a little while until the investigation is completed. Once the data of the tragic accident are back, and he and his lovely wife are cleared for wrongdoing, then he can go on with business as usual. Out of respect for the two lives that were taken that night."
"I agree with you. think sharktank should shut down completely. You become who you associate yourself with," another wrote.
"I have actually always been a fan. Just not the appropriate time for him to be so exited about something," commented a third.
prevnext"You should donate"
One fan even suggested that given O'Leary's involvement in the crash and his well-known wealth, he should donate money to support the families of the two victims.
"You should donate. Not because it was in any way your fault, but because you have the means," they wrote.
The Instagram user provided a link to a GoFundMe created by Alex Poltash, the son of the 64-year-old man who died in the collision, in honor of Brito.
"Many of you are aware of what happened on Lake Joseph on August 24th. While the tragedy is still fresh in our minds, we have been thinking of a way to honor and respect the values that were near and dear to our father's heart," the page reads. "Although we never got to meet her, we are told that Suzana and my father became fast friends while enjoying the beauty of lake. Gary was a true believer in the power of education, and thus we thought it appropriate to create this for the benefit of Suzana's children. It is our wish that the legacy of our father live on, and so we are establishing this GoFundMe for Liam (12), Ruby (11), and Cash (9)."
The page has since raised more than $10,000.
prevnext"Innocent until proven guilty"
Innocent until proven guilty.
— CryptoHaulic (@CHaulic) September 5, 2019
Currently, no charges have been filed in relation to the crash. Canadian authorities are choosing to keep details of the investigation mum until it is complete, though they have promised to press charges "if warranted."
"The investigation is just ongoing and they're not releasing anything until the end of the investigation," West Parry Sound OPP Constable Joe Scali told the Toronto Sun. "This is a regular, normal investigation, looking at all the aspects — we have marine technical experts."
"They have their means of matching everything up with injuries sustained by people [and] what caused the injuries puts them where they were seated," Scali added. "If (charges are) warranted, the only way to get there is getting everything completed."
prevnext"Break from the limelight"
Several people suggested that rather than taking the opportunity to promote the series, O'Leary should instead step away from the spotlight for the time being.
I think you're a little tone deaf.
— Ꭲꮋꭼ Ꭰꭼꭼꭱ Ꮯꮻꮲ (@The_Deer_Cop) September 6, 2019
One person even stated that O'Leary's decision to return to social media so soon after the crash and in the manner that he did was "tone deaf."
Maybe you should take a break from the limelight
— donna (@donna37792657) September 5, 2019
Another suggested that it showed that he had "no remorse" over his involvement in the crash, regardless of whether or not he is at fault.
prevnextYou’re a sick man. You killed two people and have almost no remorse.
— Baseball On The Brain (@tradegod123) September 5, 2019
"Mr. Murderful"
While O'Leary is known as "Mr. Wonderful" on Shark Tank, one fan dubbed him "Mr. Murderful" when responding to O'Leary's tweet.
“Just don’t be piloting a water craft,... or your shark bait”....-Mr.Murderful
— TheJackalKing (@The_JackalKing) September 6, 2019
Another person seemed to agree with that nickname, stating that it was inappropriate for O'Leary to be promoting the series.
prevnextYou need to focus on that boat accident that you was in instead of promoting this stupid show. I bet the guy who was killed by your boat doesn't think you are Mr. Wonderful.
— Planescrew (@planescrew) September 6, 2019
O'Leary lawyered up
Hiring a top criminal lawyer sure seems a little odd for an innocent person/persons --- no?
— Sassy 🇨🇦 🌊🌊 (@SassySwift1) September 5, 2019
Shortly after news of the crash broke, it was revealed that O'Leary had chosen to lawyer up. Several outlets have reported that the Shark Tank star hired prominent Canadian defense attorney Brian Greenspan amid the ongoing investigation.
In the past, Greenspan has represented Justin Bieber (when the singer was accused of physically assaulting an Uber driver in 2013), Naomi Campbell, and Catherine Smith.
prevnextHey Mr. I wasn’t driving the boat. So ya lawyered up ,eh. Why throw the old lady under the bus, eh? Man up and take the beef,eh. —-Scrubdaddy.
— Mr.Black007TwinBro (@black007twinbro) September 5, 2019
Questions
In the wake of the August crash, several questions remain, and one person wasn't afraid to ask them when replying to O'Leary's tweet.
Putting aside who's at fault here, what possible reason could there be to operate a boat on a lake, at 11:30 p.m., at a speed high enough to kill people on impact?https://t.co/rnx6UGAb1b
— mdk (@mdklandry) September 5, 2019
Currently, Canadian authorities have not stated how fast O'Leary's boat was traveling when it collided with the 13-passenger vessel. Addressing his involvement in the collision just days after it occurred, O'Leary suggested that the crash was caused due to the other boat failing to properly use its navigation lights.
"Late Saturday night I was a passenger in a boat that had a tragic collision with another craft that had no navigation lights on and then fled the scene of the accident," he said in a statement to various outlets.
His allegations have not been confirmed, and passengers aboard the second boat claim that they did have navigation lights on. O'Leary claims that video exists that proves his statement.
prev