Grand Jury Prepares to Hear Hudson Boat / Barge Accident Case

Posted in Uncategorized on August 13, 2013

PIERMONT, N.Y. — Rockland County District Attorney, Thomas Zugibe, is preparing for a grand jury case regarding the deadly boat / barge accident that killed a bride-to-be and her fiance’s best man after their boat crashed into a barge carrying construction material.

Photp shows boaters Craig Kmiecik and Celeste Kmiecik talking with reporters about navigating at night:andt night time boating conditions on the Hudson River.

Photo shows boaters Craig Kmiecik and Celeste Kmiecik talking with reporters about navigating at night and about night time boating conditions on the Hudson River.

Agency spokesman, Charles Rowe, told reporters that the Coast Guard looked into the incident and have determined the barges were properly lit and complied with the law. “The barges played no negligent role,” Rowe said. “The barge operators did nothing wrong.”

However, boaters Craig Kmiecik and Celeste Kmiecik talked about night time boating conditions on the Hudson River and about navigating at night. They told reporters a different story… one that spelled disaster.

Zugibe told the media, “The investigation into this tragic accident will be detailed and complete, including survivor and witness interviews and a thorough analysis of evidence

Police continue to hold Jo Jo John, the pilot of the boat, on $250,000 bail on felony vehicular manslaughter and assault charges. He also faces a charge of boating while intoxicated. John, who is seriously injured, is under guard at Nyack Hospital, at an estimated cost of $3,400 daily for two corrections officer to watch him around the clock, according to Rockland Sheriff Louis Falco.


Blog post by barge injury lawyer Gordon, Elias & Seely, LLP