US News
New Jersey boater faces homicide charge after fatal July crash in Barnegat Bay
A 40-year-old man was charged with vehicular homicide following a late-night vessel collision that killed one passenger and injured three others.
The short version
- Kevin Wells was arrested and charged with vehicular homicide and assault by vessel while intoxicated after his boat struck a channel marker on July 25.
- The crash in Toms River Township killed 26-year-old passenger Michael T. Bereheiko and injured three other passengers.
- Wells is being held without bail at Ocean County Jail pending a formal court detention hearing.
- New Jersey State Police state that the investigation into the collision remains active.
Key facts
- New Jersey State Police arrested Kevin Wells, 40, charging him with vehicular homicide and two counts of assault by vessel while intoxicated.[Fox News]
- The crash occurred before 11 p.m. on July 25 when a 32-foot boat operated by Wells struck a channel marker along the Intracoastal Waterway in Toms River Township.[Fox News]
- Passenger Michael T. Bereheiko, 26, died at a hospital after the crash, while two passengers suffered serious injuries and a third sustained minor injuries.[Fox News]
- Wells navigated the damaged boat to a private dock on Silver Lagoon Drive following the impact, where emergency responders treated victims.[Fox News]
- Authorities report this was one of at least three fatal Jersey Shore boating collisions involving alleged impairment this summer.[Fox News]
What remains uncertain
- State police noted that the investigation into the circumstances of the crash remains active.[Fox News]