Indictment Issued in Baltimore Boating Deaths

That ain't gonna buff out.

Baltimore Man Indicted in Double-Fatal Boating Accident

The 16-count indictment unsealed on Friday, charges Timothy Jay Wilson, 56, of Baltimore, with “grossly negligent” actions that led to the deaths of passengers Windy Lawson and Kimberly Ervin during the early-morning hours of July 26. The accident injured six others.

The four-month investigation was conducted by the Maryland Natural Resources Police, the state’s lead maritime law enforcement agency.

The passengers first met Wilson that evening at a Dundalk restaurant and accepted his invitation to take a boat ride to Fells Point for drinks. The accident occurred on the return trip. The boat, a 37-foot Sea Ray Sundancer, slammed into one of the four concrete structures that mark the main shipping channel and protect the Key Bridge. Lawson, 40, and Ervin, 45, both of Baltimore, were ejected into the water from their seats near the bow. They were not wearing life jackets.

Guy picks up two chicks and takes them for a ride. Tragedy ensues. I guess I'm not shocked they weren't wearing life jackets. In late July, the water is like bath water (dirty bath water in Baltimore) and the threat of hypothermia is low. However, in the rare event of a collision that throws you out of the boat, a life jacket it can (and probably did) make the difference between life and death. Although, there's a lot of damage to the bow, so maybe it was the impact.

The vessel ricocheted off the structure, passed under the bridge and stopped when it struck the wall surrounding Fort Carroll. The victims, some clinging to the vessel, called 911 and were rescued by first responders. The two bodies were recovered later that day.

The indictment charges Wilson with two felony counts each of: manslaughter by vessel; homicide by vessel while under the influence of alcohol; homicide by vessel while impaired by alcohol; homicide by vessel while impaired by a controlled dangerous substance; and homicide by vessel while impaired by drugs. Wilson also was indicted on a single misdemeanor count each of: life-threatening injury while under the influence of alcohol; life-threatening injury while impaired by alcohol; life-threatening injury while impaired by a controlled dangerous substance; and life-threatening injury while impaired by drugs. The final two counts involve operating a vessel while impaired in violation of Maryland boating regulations and laws.

Wilson was released Friday on a $25,000 bond.

That seems awfully cheap considering the seriousness of the charges.