Two Dead at Lake Cumberland Poker Run – Speed on the Water

Jeff Asbell owner of the 40SS Skater pictured here died at the Lake Cumberland Poker Run today along with throttleman Brad Smith of Smith Power. Photo courtesy Chip Miller/Miller Marina

 

According to reports from the Lake Cumberland Poker Run in Kentucky, two participants died after an accident during the 12th annual poker run. While running a 40-foot Skater Powerboats catamaran with twin 1,700-hp engines from Smith Power, driver Jeff Asbell and throttleman Brad Smith reportedly crossed a wake at a high rate of speed, went airborne and stuffed a sponson after first landing on the boat’s transom.

 

Only Asbell, who is from Carl Junction, Mo., and owns Jeff Asbell Excavating and Trucking, and Smith, who owns Smith Power in Joplin, Mo., were in the catamaran at the time of the incident. Brad’s brother, Brian, confirmed the accident in a post on OffshoreOnly.com earlier today.