OCEAN COUNTY — A Berkeley Township man faces two counts of reckless vessel homicide after authorities alleged he was under the influence of alcohol when his boat struck a channel marker in Barnegat Bay, killing his two grandchildren.
As first reported by NJ.com, Stephen Schneider, 64, was arrested Friday in connection with the July 19 crash that claimed the lives of siblings Mya Bella Golabek, 9, and Sigmund Paul Golabek, 7, both of Lacey Township.
According to court documents, Schneider was operating a 30-foot Tidewater 280 shortly after 9 p.m. when the vessel hit a wooden channel marker in waters off Berkeley Township. The impact sent both children into the bay.
Schneider and his 64-year-old wife pulled the children from the water, but Mya and Sigmund later died at a local hospital.
Charging documents allege Schneider’s ability to operate the boat was impaired by alcohol at the time of the collision.
Information about an attorney representing Schneider was not immediately available. State police and the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office had not released additional information about the charges.
Jersey Shore Online has reached out for additional details.
The charges are accusations. Schneider is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
