One dead, three missing after boat sinks near Alcatraz
A deadly boating accident near Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay has left one person dead and three others unaccounted for, triggering an extensive search involving multiple agencies. Senior correspondent Claudia Cowan reported live from the scene, explaining that the 49-foot cabin cruiser had been carrying 20 adults for a memorial service when it overturned in turbulent waters.
A New Jersey mother is facing serious charges after authorities say she was intoxicated while operating a boat on Memorial Day when it struck a channel marker, a crash that killed her 28-year-old son.
Jennifer L. Pearson, 59, has been charged with death by vessel, a second-degree offense, along with operating a vessel under the influence, reckless operation of a vessel, operating without a boating safety certificate and failing to maintain a proper lookout, New Jersey State Police said in a news release.
The Memorial Day boat crash happened around 5:45 p.m. in Barnegat Bay near the Brant Beach Yacht Club in Long Beach. According to charging documents obtained by NJ 101.5, Pearson was operating a 23-foot center console boat when it allegedly hit the marker, throwing her son, Gunnar Pearson, and his girlfriend into the water.
Gunnar Pearson was taken to a hospital after the collision and later died from his injuries. Four other people were also hospitalized with minor injuries. State police said Jennifer Pearson turned herself in voluntarily on Wednesday, Aug. 19, at the New Jersey State Police Troop C Tuckerton Station.
Jennifer L. Pearson, 59, faces charges including death by vessel, operating a vessel under the influence, reckless operation, operating without a boating safety certificate and failing to keep a proper lookout in connection with the Memorial Day fatal boating crash. (Ocean County Jail)
Court records cited by NJ 101.5 state that Pearson’s blood alcohol level was measured between .09 and .12, slightly above New Jersey’s legal limit of .08. Investigators also reported smelling alcohol when she came in to speak with them, and Pearson allegedly said she had two alcoholic beverages earlier that afternoon.
Pearson is currently being held at the Ocean County Jail.
Gunnar Pearson, 28, died in the hospital from his injuries after the Memorial Day crash. (Jennifer Pearson/Facebook)
According to an online obituary, Gunnar, who was described as “kind, funny, and deeply caring,” had recently completed renovations on his first home in Forked River.
He was also described as an avid outdoorsman who loved skiing, fishing, boating, running and hunting.
“He found his greatest joy in spending time with those he loved — whether at home, on the beaches of Long Beach Island, on the ski slopes of Stratton, Vermont, or during family vacations in Maine. These moments together meant everything to him and will remain treasured by those who were fortunate enough to share them,” the obituary said.
Several bayside locations remain under advisory due to elevated bacteria levels detected during recent water quality testing. (iStock)
Police said the fatal crash remains under investigation.
