TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A Dade City man was accused of operating a boat while drunk and running over a woman who fell off the vessel, killing her.

Tydell Smith, 31, was arrested in Hillsborough County last week in connection to a deadly boating accident on the Ocklawaha River in Marion County on July 21, 2024.

An incident report from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) stated that a 50-year-old Wesley Chapel woman fell off the front of the pontoon boat, into the water, and was struck by the propeller. She died from her injuries.

Smith admitted to operating the boat at the time of the incident and consuming alcohol that day after getting very little sleep, according to FWC. The woman’s husband provided police with a recording of a video posted to Snapchat where Smith talked about drinking on the boat.

FWC reported that Smith’s blood alcohol level measured at 0.149 and 0.148 approximately three and a half hours after the incident.

Smith was charged with felony BUI manslaughter and misdemeanor violating navigation rules resulting in serious injury or death. FWC said that Smith should have known to slow down when people were riding in the front of the boat.