Speedboat Accident Aftermath: Kills fiancee of WP Teacher. Thruway Says Barge was properly legally Lit

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WPCNR EPITAPH. Statement from the New York State Thruway Authority. July 28, 2013: 

According to Gannett reports, the speedboat crash Friday evening into a close-to–the-water construction barge anchored off the south side of the present Tappan Zee Bridge, claimed the life  of Lindsey Stewart, 30, of fiancee of Brian Bond, also a passenger. Mr. Bond was seriously injured.  WPCNR notes Mr. Bond is a  teacher at White Plains Mamaroneck Avenue Elementrary School.

A third person, Mark Lennon,  was still missing and presumed dead. The man piloting the boat, JoJo John was being treated for injuries and has been charged by authorities, with vehicular manslaughter, three counts of vehicular assault.

The boat departed Piermont, a village on thr western Hudson River shore, south of the Tappan Zee Bridge at approximately 11 P.M., and crashed into a barge south of the bridge throwing passengers of the boat into the water apparently.

The New York State Thruway Authority issued this statement Saturday on the crash into its contractors’ barge, essential denying any possible negligence in lighting the barge and making it visible to mariners at night:

 “While the Rockland County Sheriff, N.Y. State Police and U.S. Coast Guard continue to investigate this tragic incident, the New York State Thruway Authority is conducting its own review of safety procedures on the Hudson River as part of the New NY Bridge Project. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families during this difficult time.”

“At this point, Tappan Zee Constructors, LLC (TZC) has reported to the Thruway Authority that all Coast Guard lighting requirements were met and that the barges were properly lit Friday night. All lighting was checked Saturday morning and is fully operational at all barge locations associated with the project.

Thruway and TZC have worked with the Army Corps of Engineers and Coast Guard to determine approved locations for the barges and appropriate information has been provided to be included in Notices to Mariners.

Impact pile driving originally scheduled for today (Saturday) has been temporarily suspended out of respect for the victims and to accommodate the investigation.”

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