5 killed in Georgia boat collision; man charged

CHATHAM COUNTY, Ga. (WTOC) – A person has been arrested in connection to a boating accident in Georgia’s Wilmington River that left 5 folks lifeless over Memorial Day weekend.

The Georgia Division of Pure Sources tells WTOC that 45-year-old Mark Christopher Stegall, of Savannah, was arrested and charged for boating below the affect.

Chatham Emergency Providers says the decision got here in round 10:30 a.m. Saturday to answer a crash between two boats, who have been touring in reverse instructions on the Wilmington River once they collided. One of many boats concerned sank.

The our bodies of three males lacking after the crash have been recovered Sunday morning. They have been positioned by sport wardens in 14-foot deep water and in shut proximity to one another.

Two different folks concerned died from their accidents on the hospital.

The victims have been recognized as Christopher David Leffler, 51, Lori Lynn Leffler, 50, Zachary James Leffler, 23, Nathan Leffler, 17, and Robert Steven Chauncey, 37.

“Everybody was involved concerning the individuals who have been lacking and the individuals who have been affected by this. So, it’s an actual tragic occasion for everybody, however most significantly for that household that misplaced 4 members,” mentioned Capt. Chris Hodge, Area Supervisor with DNR.

4 different folks have been taken to the hospital.

Officers haven’t launched a trigger for the crash.

Investigators say crash reconstruction groups might be combing over proof to hopefully discover solutions as to how this crash occurred. They are saying that course of may take six to eight weeks.

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