Delaware Delegate Was Drinking Before Boating Accident That Injured Seven

Delaware Delegate, Donald Dwyer, admitted Thursday that he had been drinking prior to a boating accident which injured seven people including four children.

According to the Maryland Natural Resource Police (NRP) two boats, a 27 ft. Baja and a 20ft. Bayliner, collided on the Magothy River near Gibson Island.

Dwyer was operating the Baja with one passenger when it collided with the Bayliner driven by Mark Harbin. Two boys aged 7 and 12 and two girls aged 5 and 10 were on also in the Bayliner.

Dwyer’s boat was split in half by the impact according to witnesses and sank into the water. Harbin’s boat was able to make it to shore.

Four children and three adults, including Dwyer, were taken to area hospitals with injuries. The seven year old boy had a broken arm; two of the other children were released Thursday.

A blood test taken at the hospital showed that Dwyer’s blood alcohol concentration was .20, well-over twice the legal limit. He held a press conference Thursday where he admitted that he had been drinking before the accident.

Capt. Jerry Kirkwood, spokesman for the NRP said it was too soon to determine if what charges will be filed but noted that Dwyer was the only operator to have a blood test.  Both of the watercraft has been recovered so that investigators can determine the cause of the accident.

Operating a boat under the influence defies safe boating practices, and puts other people in harm’s way. Even though it is illegal, many people engage in this behavior leading to injuries and death

Several boating accidents this summer have taken a few lives and leaving many injured including a case from July which left numerous people injured.

Any boat operator, who negligently caused injury to others, can anticipate that they will have to face off with an accident attorney fighting to get their clients compensation for their pain and suffering.

Any boat operator, who negligently caused injury to others, can anticipate that they will have to face off with an fighting to get their clients compensation for their pain and suffering.