MAYS LANDING- A Galloway Township man has been charged with Aggravated Manslaughter in connection to a fatal boat crash in July 2019 that killed a 39 year-old woman, Acting Atlantic County Prosecutor Cary Shill announced.
On Monday, Dec. 20, 2021, members of the US Marshals NY/NJ Regional Fugitive Task Force – Atlantic City Division, arrested Arthur Lesbirel, 45, and he was charged with Aggravated Manslaughter in connection to a boat crash that occurred on July 21, 2019, on the Intercoastal Water Way in Galloway Township. An investigation has determined that Lesbirel was operating a boat recklessly and caused a boat passenger, Iesha Thies, 39, of Mays Landing, to be ejected from the boat. While in the water, the boat’s engine propeller struck Thies, causing fatal injuries. Thies was pronounced deceased at AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center – City Division, where she was transported following the incident.
Lesbirel has been lodged at the Atlantic County Justice Facility pending a detention hearing. This is a cooperative investigation by the New Jersey State Police Marine Unit, with the assistance of the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office Fatal Collision Investigation Unit. Chief Assistant Prosecutor Rick McKelvey and Assistant Prosecutor Kate Robinson assisted throughout the investigation, in representation of the state.