A deadly boating accident on the Fourth of July resulted in police arresting a man who might have been intoxicated at the time. He is facing a number of criminal charges, which are boating under the influence, first-degree assault, second-degree assault and two counts for murder. Two people died and another five were seriously injured in the boating accident he is accused of causing.
According to Alabama police, the 41-year-old man was driving a boat on a lake while under the influence of alcohol. He allegedly struck another boat while operating his boat in a reckless and dangerous manner, causing a serious injury that resulted in five people being transported to the hospital for treatment. One of the injured had to be airlifted.
Another two victims were located hours apart and recovered from the lake two days after the wreck. The two victims who died were 26 and 17 years old. It is not clear if the boat operator was among those who were injured, but in addition to his criminal charges, he is also facing wrongful death suit filed by the parents of the 17-year-old victim.
In Alabama, criminal charges for murder and assault can yield severe consequences. Defendants may end up spending long periods of time behind bars or even have to pay large fines. The effects of these consequences can also bleed over into defendants’ personal lives, making it harder to achieve valuable opportunities for employment or education. A strong and carefully planned criminal defense is essential for minimizing these potential consequences.
