A Bayville man has been arrested in connection with a July 19 boating accident in the Berkeley Township bay area that left two children dead, New Jersey State Police said Saturday.
Officials: operator accused of boating under the influence
State police identified the operator as Stephen Schneider, 64, who was driving a roughly 30-foot vessel through the Intracoastal Waterway when the boat struck a channel marker, authorities said. On board at the time were three passengers: a 64-year-old woman, a 9-year-old girl and a 7-year-old boy.
Police say the collision caused both children to be thrown into the water. Responders and those aboard the vessel found the youngsters unresponsive; they were taken to a local hospital, where both were pronounced dead.
Charges and custody
Schneider voluntarily turned himself in to authorities on Friday, according to state police. He was arrested and is in custody at the Ocean County Jail awaiting further court action.
- Charges reported by state police include operating a vessel under the influence, reckless vessel homicide/death by vessel and reckless operation of a vessel.
- The investigation into the circumstances of the crash remains ongoing, police said.
Local impact and response
The crash occurred in a part of Ocean County popular with recreational boaters. Incidents of this nature typically prompt heightened attention from marine units and local safety officials, who may review vessel operations, alcohol use aboard craft and navigation markers in the affected waterway.
Community members and local leaders often respond to such tragedies by emphasizing boat-safety practices, including wearing life jackets, maintaining safe speeds, ensuring proper lookout and avoiding alcohol while operating watercraft.
| Person | Age | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Operator — Stephen Schneider | 64 | Arrested; held in Ocean County Jail |
| Passenger — woman | 64 | Onboard; condition not specified by police |
| Child — female | 9 | Found unresponsive; pronounced dead at hospital |
| Child — male | 7 | Found unresponsive; pronounced dead at hospital |
What to know now
Authorities have not released additional details about exactly how the collision unfolded or whether alcohol was confirmed through testing. State police have said the probe is ongoing and did not provide further comment on investigative steps or potential timelines for charges to be filed in court.
“The investigation is ongoing,” state police said in their statement.
Anyone with information about the July 19 incident is typically asked to contact the investigating agency; state police have not yet issued a public tip line or additional contact details in the statement announcing the arrest.
Safety reminders
While the investigation continues, the collision is a sober reminder of risks associated with recreational boating. Safety advocates and law enforcement routinely urge boaters to:
- Wear U.S. Coast Guard–approved life jackets, especially for children;
- Avoid operating any vessel while impaired by alcohol or drugs;
- Maintain a proper lookout and adhere to navigation markers and posted speed limits;
- Ensure vessels are properly maintained and equipped with required safety gear.
As the case proceeds, prosecutors will determine whether to formally file the charges announced by state police and pursue the matter in Ocean County court. For now, the arrest marks a significant development in an investigation that has shaken the Berkeley Township bay community.
Rohan Iyer is the WE NEWS state correspondent covering Ocean County and coastal New Jersey.
