A Charlotte, North Carolina woman has been charged with boating under the influence (BUI) after her companion went missing on Lake Wylie last Wednesday in North Carolina. The man’s body was recovered the next morning.
Rescue crews were called to the lake at 9 PM on Wednesday evening after the man reportedly entered the water and did not come to the surface. It happened near the 16300 block of Harbor View Rd. in the southwestern edge of Charlotte.
The South Carolina authorities stated that the woman was driving the boat at the time the man disappeared in the water. She has been charged with a misdemeanor BUI but more charges could be added when the investigation is complete.
Our View
We are drunk driving and boating attorneys licensed in Virginia and North Carolina, so we are very knowledgeable about boating accidents, especially in the Tidewater region. Many boaters do not realize that recreational boating can quickly become dangerous when alcohol is added to the situation. Boating while drinking is just as illegal and dangerous as drinking and driving.
While the above accident is still early in the investigation phase, if the woman is eventually convicted of BUI, she could theoretically be held liable for the loss of life that occurred when she was behind the wheel of the vessel. If so, the family of the deceased would benefit to speak with a personal injury attorney; the driver of the boat could be sued for wrongful death and this can result in a sizable settlement which can help the grieving family to adjust to life without the financial support of their loved one.
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