Prosecutors have revealed shocking new details in the case of the boater who crashed into a Boston pier, resulting in the tragic death of a 24-year-old former student athlete. The accused was reportedly intoxicated and recklessly taking his hands off the wheel to dance, steering a stolen boat into disaster.
Boston resident Lawrence Shieh, 40, faces a raft of charges after a Suffolk County grand jury indictment linked him to the fatal May 13 incident. The crash claimed the life of Elizabeth “Lizzie” Dankert, aged 24, and left two of her friends injured. Shieh is charged with involuntary manslaughter, operating under the influence (OUI) causing death, multiple counts of OUI causing serious injury, unauthorized use of a boat, and a violation of the Logan International Airport security zone.
Following a night of visiting several bars, Shieh’s blood-alcohol content tested at more than twice the legal threshold, adding to the evidence against him.
Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden addressed the media, noting, “On the night of the crash, Lawrence Shieh partook in an array of alcoholic drinks at the ReelHouse and other bars in the Seaport area. His blood-alcohol level was recorded at a staggering .20, far above the Massachusetts legal limit of .08.”
The unfortunate victim, Elizabeth “Lizzie” Dankert, who previously played college soccer, succumbed to severe blunt force injuries. (Lizzie Dankert/Facebook)
The boat, which was not equipped with exterior lighting, had been docked at Freedom Boat Club in Boston’s Seaport District before it was taken without permission. Although Shieh held membership in the club, he had no authorization to remove the vessel. Hayden said cellphone footage — including video recorded on Dankert’s phone — captured the moments leading up to the deadly crash.
“Cellphone videos recorded Shieh’s conduct, including inattentiveness at the helm, dancing and engaging with the three young women. Approximately six seconds before the crash, Shieh is captured on video with both hands off the wheel of the boat,” Hayden said.
The boat crashed into a pier near a Logan International Airport runway on May 13, 2026, killing Elizabeth “Lizzie” Dankert. (Facebook/Boston EMS)
The boat then crashed nearly head-on into Pier 4R at Logan.
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“Recovered data from the boat navigation system indicates that the boat was traveling at a dangerously excessive speed for the area of 36 mph at the time of the crash,” Hayden said.
Dankert struck her head and died as a result of blunt force injuries. The other two women and Shieh suffered non life-threatening injuries.
Dankert, of Andover, was a 2024 graduate of Union College, where she played soccer.
“Lizzie was an exceptional student-athlete who had a tremendous impact during her four years at Union College,” Union College spokesperson Phillip Wajda told Boston 25 in a statement. News Media has reached out to Union College for comment.
Lawrence Shieh, 40, of Boston, was indicted Tuesday morning by a Suffolk County grand jury on one count of involuntary manslaughter, one count of operating a boat while intoxicated causing death, two counts of operating a boat while intoxicated causing serious bodily injury, one count of using a boat without authority, and one count of a Logan Airport security violation, District Attorney Kevin Hayden announced during an afternoon news conference. (Jonathan Wiggs/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
In his first hearing, a cash bail was set at $25,000 with conditions for Shieh to stay away and have no contact with the female witnesses, Fan Pier and Freedom Boat Club employees, stay away from the ReelHouse in Seaport and no boating or consume alcohol during the investigations.
Shieh’s attorney, Nick Pisegna, said in the hearing that his client did not have a criminal record and has been “diligently attending” his appointments following the incident.
Shieh was released after posting bail. He is due back in court on Oct. 8 at 2 p.m. for a pre-trial conference. News Media has reached out to Shieh’s attorney for comment.