Boston Maritime Trial Lawyers Encourage Safe Summer Boating

April 17, 2013

Boston Maritime Trial Lawyers Encourage Safe Summer Boating

This Asbury Park Press video shows New Jersey State Police discussing the 17-foot Boston Whaler that was struck by what was at the time an unknown vessel in August 2008. The Whaler’s operator, 49-year-old Robert Post, was killed in the accident, and four other passengers sustained injuries. Nearly five years later, a trial began for the construction worker and electrician who allegedly struck the Whaler, 33-year-old Anthony DiGilio.

According to the Star-Ledger, DiGilio did not stop his 27-foot Imperial performance boat at the time of the accident shortly after 1:00 a.m., but through an attorney, he went to authorities later that day. Senior Assistant Ocean County Prosecutor Hillary Bryce said two witnesses saw DiGilio operating his boat without its bow light just before the crash, and she said a boat accident reconstruction expert estimates DiGilio was traveling 51-69 mph, making his vessel a “27-foot ballistic missile.” DiGilio is charged with one count of vehicular homicide and two counts of death by vessel, and he faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.

The Press reported that DiGilio’s defense attorney questioned two of the Whaler’s passengers about the amounts of alcohol consumed during the evening’s dinner, but Bonnie Post testified that the five of them onboard drank less than one bottle of wine with their steak dinner. DiGilio’s attorney claimed that he would prove that “the Posts’ partying and drinking was so heavy that Robert Post fell asleep at the dinner table.”

Dangers of Boating Under the Influence

In Illinois, a trial will not be necessary for a 51-year-old man who pleaded guilty on April 9 to aggravated DUI in a fatal boating accident last July that killed a 10-year-old boy on Petite Lake. The Chicago Tribune reported that David Hatyina was accused of having cocaine in his system and being over the legal alcohol limit when his speedboat struck and killed a fifth-grader who had fallen off an inner tube that was being towed by a pontoon boat. Hatyina is due to be sentenced in June and faces 3 to 14 years in prison.

As we enter a time of year in which more people around the country will be partaking in activities on the water, we once again remind everybody how important it is to be safe. Recreational boating accidents such as these were entirely preventable. We certainly all want to have fun this summer, and adults can partake in alcoholic beverages, but it is critical to remember that failing to do so responsibly can result in fatal accidents that change multiple lives forever.

Latti & Anderson LLP has been helping injured passengers in all types of boat accidents for more than a half-century. Additional information about drunk boating accidents is available on our website. If you sustained injuries or your loved one was killed in a boat accident, complete the form on this page to let our Boston maritime trial lawyers review your case or contact our firm at (800) 392-6072 to set up a free consultation.

Latti & Anderson LLP – Boston maritime attorneys