59-year-old released from jail months after deadly Barnegat Bay collision
BARNEGAT, NJ – A Memorial Day weekend boat ride on Barnegat Bay ended with a mother accused of operating the vessel while intoxicated, her 28-year-old son dead and five other people injured after the motorboat slammed into an Intracoastal Waterway marker near Brant Beach Yacht Club.
Jennifer L. Pearson, 59, of Barnegat, faces second-degree charges stemming from the May 25 crash.
Her son, Gunnar Pearson, 28, suffered injuries in the collision and later died at a local hospital. He was a former lifeguard and National Guard member.
Boat slammed into marker
Pearson was operating the motorboat on Barnegat Bay when it struck an Intracoastal Waterway marker near the Brant Beach Yacht Club, according to information released about the case.
The impact threw passengers into the water.
Six people were injured in the collision, including Gunnar Pearson, who later died from his injuries.
Investigation leads to alcohol-related charges
Investigators determined Jennifer Pearson’s blood alcohol concentration was between 0.09% and 0.12% following the crash.
New Jersey’s legal limit for operating a vessel is 0.08%.
Pearson later surrendered to authorities and faces second-degree charges including death by vessel, operating a vessel under the influence and reckless operation.
Released following detention hearing
Pearson appeared for a detention hearing Friday and was released from jail.
The charges against Pearson are accusations, and she is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Key Points
- Jennifer L. Pearson, 59, is accused of operating a motorboat while intoxicated when it crashed into a Barnegat Bay navigation marker on Memorial Day.
- Six people were injured, and Pearson’s 28-year-old son, Gunnar Pearson, later died.
- Pearson faces second-degree charges and was released from jail following a detention hearing Friday.
