14 DAY TRIAL // Police believe that they have uncovered the remains of a man going overboard in a horrific boat crash on the Hudson River on Friday.
30-year-old Mark Lennon of Pearl River, NY disappeared after the crash. He was going to be the best man at the wedding of Lindsey Stewart, 30, and Brian Bond, 35. They were part of the future wedding party and were drinking to celebrate the event.
The accident took place at roughly 10:40 p.m. on Friday, with the Stingray powerboat being driven into three connected barges by the Tappan Zee Bridge in Piermont.
“I can tell you that it’s very dark on the river... It is difficult to see the barges, which are low in the water and dark,” Rockland County Undersheriff Robert Van Cura says.
“At this point, we have probable cause to believe [John] operated the boat while intoxicated, and that's the basis for the charge.”
Driver Jojo K. John, 35 has been arrested for manning the boat while drunk. NY Post reports that he has been charged with vehicular-manslaughter and assault.
“They were all acquaintances, they were all on the boat together, and he was the operator,” Van Cura tells ABC News.
Before sailing, the group ate dinner at Pier 701 restaurant in Piermont at 9 p.m., and they were spotted drinking.
“They were probably drinking before they got here. It seemed that way. [...] They had dinner inside and a few drinks. After a couple of beers and cocktails they left. An hour later we were hearing about the accident on the news,” a bartender recalls.
The groom-to-be was seriously injured but managed to swim to shore and save his life. Stewart's body was recovered on Saturday near the accident spot.
“My son is still in shock and he’s heavily sedated. The doctors say he’s going to have surgery on Monday,” his father, Bruce, describes.