One dead, three missing after boat sinks near Alcatraz
In a heartbreaking incident near Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay, a boat capsizing resulted in one fatality and left three people unaccounted for, triggering a large-scale search operation involving multiple agencies. As reported by senior correspondent Claudia Cowan, the tragedy unfolded when a 49-foot cabin cruiser carrying 20 individuals for a memorial service capsized due to challenging marine conditions.
A New Jersey woman, aged 59, faces allegations of intoxication while steering her boat, which led to a crash on Memorial Day, tragically claiming the life of her 28-year-old son.
Jennifer L. Pearson, aged 59, has been charged with several offenses, including death by vessel, a second-degree charge; operating a vessel under the influence; reckless operation; lacking a boating safety certificate; and failing to maintain a proper lookout, as per a statement from New Jersey State Police.
On Memorial Day, approximately at 5:45 p.m., Pearson was navigating Barnegat Bay near the Brant Beach Yacht Club in Long Beach when she purportedly collided her 23-foot center console with a channel marker. This impact hurled her son, Gunnar Pearson, and his girlfriend into the water, as described in documents obtained by NJ 101.5.
Gunnar Pearson succumbed to his injuries shortly after being transported to a hospital. Four additional individuals incurred minor injuries and received medical attention. Jennifer Pearson turned herself in at the New Jersey State Police Troop C Tuckerton Station on Wednesday, Aug. 19, according to police reports.
Jennifer L. Pearson, 59, was charged with death by vessel, a second-degree charge; operating a vessel under the influence; reckless operation of a vessel; operating a vessel without a boating safety certificate; and failure to have proper lookout in the Memorial Day crash. (Ocean County Jail)
According to court documents cited by NJ 101.5, Pearson’s blood alcohol level registered between .09 and .12, just above the legal limit of .08. Investigators detected the smell of alcohol when she arrived to speak with them, and she told them she had consumed two alcoholic drinks earlier that afternoon.
Pearson is being held at the Ocean County Jail.
Gunnar Pearson, 28, died in the hospital from his injuries after the Memorial Day crash. (Jennifer Pearson/Facebook)
According to an online obituary, Gunnar, who was described as “kind, funny, and deeply caring,” had recently completed renovations on his first home in Forked River.
He was also described as an avid outdoorsman who loved skiing, fishing, boating, running and hunting.
“He found his greatest joy in spending time with those he loved — whether at home, on the beaches of Long Beach Island, on the ski slopes of Stratton, Vermont, or during family vacations in Maine. These moments together meant everything to him and will remain treasured by those who were fortunate enough to share them,” the obituary said.
Several bayside locations remain under advisory due to elevated bacteria levels detected during recent water quality testing. (iStock)
Police said the fatal crash remains under investigation.