Two young siblings killed in a New Jersey boating crash had reportedly asked their grandfather to bring them back to his home after a family dinner, according to newly cited court records.
Mya Golabek, 9, and her 7-year-old brother, Sigmund Paul Golabek, died on July 19 after they were thrown from a boat into Barnegat Bay, New Jersey.
Their grandfather, 64-year-old Stephen Schneider, was allegedly at the helm of the vessel at the time. He was arrested Friday and charged with two counts of reckless vessel homicide.
Court documents cited by the New York Post state that Mya and Sigmund had asked to go back to their grandparents’ house after Schneider and his wife joined the Golabek family for dinner at MJ’s Restaurant in Bayville.
The children got onto Schneider’s boat without their parents, Jennifer and Sigmund Golabek Sr., both 45, who departed separately on their own vessel and planned to reunite with the group later.
Investigators allege Schneider was intoxicated while operating a 30-foot Tidewater Custom 280 when the boat slammed into a channel marker in Barnegat Bay, not far from his $1 million waterfront property.
Schneider allegedly told police he had consumed only three beers. His blood alcohol concentration was not visible in the publicly released version of the court records, the New York Post reported.
New Jersey State Police said Schneider “was unfit to operate a motor vehicle” and that alcohol had significantly impaired his alertness, caution, perception, judgment, reaction time and coordination.
Mya, 9, and Sigmund Golabek, 7, died after they were flung off a boat into the water during a collision on July 19
Their grandfather Stephen Schneider was driving and has been charged with reckless vessel homicide and operating a vessel under the influence. He is being held without bail
The crash hurled Mya and Sigmund, who were wearing life jackets, into the water but were later found face-down in the bay.
Schneider and his wife, Laurie Schneider, 64, desperately pulled the children back aboard but officials said they were unresponsive.
The children were taken to a hospital, where they were pronounced dead.
A spokesman for New Jersey State Police said: ‘On July 19, at approximately 9.09pm, troopers responded to the report of a serious vessel crash in the Berkeley Township Bay Area.
‘Based on a preliminary investigation, a Tidewater Custom 280 30-foot vessel, while traveling through the Intercoastal Waterway, struck a channel marker, causing a nine-year-old juvenile female and a seven-year-old juvenile male to be ejected into the water.
‘The operator, Stephen Schneider, a 63-year-old male from Bayville, NJ, and occupant Laurie Schneider, a 64-year-old female from Bayville, located the juveniles unresponsive in the water.
‘The juveniles were transported to an area hospital, where they were pronounced deceased.
Mya and Sigmund were the only children of the Schneider’s 45-year-old daughter, Jennifer Golabek
Police said Schneider operated a 30-foot Tidewater Custom 280 boat while intoxicated and struck a channel marker in Barnegat Bay near his $1 million waterfront home
‘This vessel crash remains under investigation, and no additional information is available.’
Schneider is being held in Ocean County Jail without bail. His next court appearance has not been scheduled.
The siblings were remembered as fun-loving, adventurous children with a remarkably close bond.
‘Mya Bella Golabek entered this world and brought a light that touched everyone around her,’ her obituary said.
‘In her nine beautiful years, she filled the lives of her family and friends with love, laughter, and unforgettable memories.’
The obituary described Mya as ‘sweet’ and ‘fun-loving,’ with a ‘beautiful smile, kind heart, and joyful personality.’
Sigmund’s obituary said: ‘His sweet smile, gentle heart, and playful spirit brought happiness to everyone around him.’
An obituary said: ‘Mya and Siggy were not only brother and sister, but best friends who shared laughter, adventures, and countless memories’
The New Jersey State Police said it was still continuing to investigate the collision
A channel marker in waters off Berkeley Township
‘Although Siggy’s time here was much too short, the love he gave and the memories he created will remain forever,’ it continued.
‘He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, teammates, and all who were blessed to know him.’
The obituary added: ‘A sibling bond is a love that lasts forever. Mya and Siggy were not only brother and sister, but best friends who shared laughter, adventures, and countless memories.’
A Meal Train has since been organized for the family. A post to the donation page said: ‘Thank you everyone for your OVERWHELMING support.
‘We have received an abundance of donations for the family and cannot thank everyone enough for their generosity. At this time, keeping the family in your prayers is an amazing way to support them.’
