Crime & Safety

UPDATE: Man Faces BUI Charge in Lanier Boating Fatality

Man arrested in collision that killed boy, 9. A teen, reportedly his brother, also is missing.

Updated 2:45 p.m. June 19

An arrest has been made in the case involving a fatality from a boating collision Monday at Lake Lanier, according to 11alive.com.

At a news conference Tuesday morning, DNR officials announced the arrest of Paul J. Bennett in connection with the crash. The 44-year-old faces a charge of boating under the influence; the DNR said more charges are possible, including homicide by vessel and failing to give aid, the 11alive.com report said.

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The AJC reported that Bennett is from Cumming.

DNR spokesman Stephen Adams said Bennett refused medical treatment when he was arrested about 1:30 a.m. Tuesday. He's being held at the Hall County jail. A DNR ranger found Bennett's boat tied up to another boat at Bald Ridge Marina.

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Adams said a doctor on a boat near the crash scene helped the victims, who were taken to Northeast Georgia Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries, according to Kimbrell. No names were released.

One child was killed an another was missing after the accident, according to WSB TV website. A 9 year old boy was the fatality, and a 13 year old boy was missing; the AJC reported that they were brothers.

According to Hall County Fire Chief David Kimbrell, two boats collided about 11 p.m. Monday between Lake Lanier Island and Buford Dam.

WSB reported that emergency crews at the scene that a "center console style" boat hit a pontoon boat.  As many as 13 people were on the pontoon boat. The other boat fled the scene, authorities said.

 

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June 19, 2012, 11:00 a.m.

One child was killed an another was missing after a boating accident late Monday on Lake Lanier, according to WSB TV website.

According to Hall County Fire Chief David Kimbrell, two boats collided about 11 p.m. Monday between Lake Lanier Island and Buford Dam.

WSB reported that emergency crews at the scene that a "center console style" boat hit a pontoon boat.  As many as 13 people were on the pontoon boat. The other boat fled the scene, authorities said.

An 8-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene and as of 1 a.m., a 13-year-old was missing, the report said.

Patch will have more updates on this incident.


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