N.Y. — The driver of
a speedboat that slammed into a construction barge on the Hudson River —
hurling a bride-to-be and her fiance's best man into the water — has been
charged with vehicular manslaughter, authorities said Saturday.
Jojo John, 35, of Nyack was also charged with three counts
of vehicular assault at his hospital bedside as he recovers from Friday night's
crash, Rockland County Sheriff's Department Chief William Barbera said.
John's bail was set at $250,000 and he will be transported
to the Rockland County Jail after he is released from the hospital, Barbera
said. John is suspected of operating the boat while intoxicated, according to
Barbera.
Earlier Saturday, authorities pulled a woman's body from the
water that matches the description of 30-year-old Lindsey Stewart. The
bride-to-be was hurled into the water after the accident near the Tappan Zee
Bridge, about a half-hour's drive north of New York City.
Stewart, of Piermont, worked for an insurance company. She
was set to be married Aug. 10. Her fiance, art teacher Brian Bond, was among
four others injured in the crash.
Rescuers are still trying to locate one other passenger, her
fiance's best man, 30-year-old Mark Lennon.
"The search has been suspended this evening and the
tides have a lot to do with that," Barbera said. "We'll start again
first thing in the morning."
Officials were working to confirm that it was the body found
earlier Saturday was Stewart's.
The crash happened shortly after the boat, a 21-foot Stingray,
left the village of Piermont for a short trip across the river to Tarrytown on
Friday night, authorities said.
Authorities did not have further updates Saturday evening on
the conditions of the four injured or the nature of their injuries.
Stewart's mother, Carol, said earlier Saturday that she was
praying for a miracle.
Bond, 35, was knocked unconscious in the crash but later
woke and was able to call 911, Carol Stewart said.
Lindsey Stewart's stepfather, Walter Kosik, said the couple
have known each other since they were young children and used to go to church
together.
"They have been friends the whole time, and they fell
in love about 3 ½ years ago," Kosik said.
They were to be married at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
in Pearl River, with a reception at a vineyard in Hillburn, he said.
Barbera declined to identify the other people aboard the
boat. He said the barge, one of several loaded with construction material for
an upcoming replacement of the bridge, was equipped with lights, but it was
still difficult to see on the water late at night.
The New York State Thruway Authority, which is overseeing
the bridge project, said it was reviewing safety procedures.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and
their families during this difficult time," the authority said in a
statement. It added that the lighting on the barges appeared to be functioning
normally.
Stewart's former English teacher at Pearl River High School,
who remained in contact with her through Facebook, called the accident
"heartbreaking."
"She was one of my students and a bright, sweet girl
loved by everyone," she said. "I knew that she was getting married,
and to Brian. To happen to two such special kids — it just shouldn't
happen."
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