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By BRIAN MALINA; Times Leader Hazleton Bureau
Saturday, May 27, 1995 Page: 2A
FREELAND — The operator of a small vinyl raft from which two girls fell
and drowned in March pleaded guilty this week to summary offenses stemming
from the accident.
The Luzerne County district attorney’s office withdrew the two most serious
charges against him as part of a plea agreement.
Tim Chhoem, 12, and Sophie Voeun, 14, both of Philadelphia, died in the
March 12 accident after they fell from the raft when it capsized about a mile
after entering 36 degree, rough water on the Lehigh River.
Their bodies were found the next day about three miles from where the raft
— as well as another containing their friends — was launched.
Dino Hin, 27, of Abington, was fined $750 for violating Pennsylvania Fish
and Boat Commission regulations, specifically, using flotation devices of
inappropriate size, having an insufficient number of flotation devices, raft
not being properly loaded and loaded beyond capacity. Hin also pleaded guilty
to criminal charges of using a raft not suitable for white water, using a raft
that was too small for white water and not wearing a flotation device.
The charges were brought by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.
Charges that were withdrawn were reckless and negligent operation of a
water craft. Attempts to reach a representative of the district attorney’s
office for an explanation were not successful.
A hearing in the case was held Monday before Freeland District Justice
Gerald Feissner.
Hin, who was represented by Wilkes-Barre attorney Barry Dyller, had faced a
maximum of $5,000 in fines and 90 days in jail.
A hearing date has not been set for a second man charged in connection with
the accident.
Chhouck Tim, the operator of the second raft, faces up to $300 in fines and
90 days in jail.
According to a secretary at Feissner’s office, a hearing date has not been
set for Tim, of Philadelphia, because he has not yet responded to a certified
letter informing him of the charges against him.