Five people, including four members of the same family, were killed after two boats crashed into a river in Georgia during Memorial Day weekend.
The driver of the boat survived and was arrested for driving under the influence following the Saturday morning crash that sent passengers down the Wilmington River to Savannah.
Two people were pronounced dead at the scene and three more were missing until Sunday morning, when their lifeless bodies were recovered from water 14 feet deep.
The driver of the boat, Mark Stegall, was charged with operating a boat while under the influence, said a spokesman for the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.
Four of the five dead were members of the same Savannah family. Christopher Leffler, 51, and his wife Lori Leffler, 50, died in the crash along with their children Zachary Leffler, 23, and Nathan Leffler, 17.
Search and rescue teams rescued four people, who were rushed to hospitals in the area, emergency service officials told WTOC.
The Leffler boat had six people on board when it collided with a boat carrying three people.
Mark Stegall, the suspect who was arrested after the ship’s fatal crash. Chatham County Sheriff’s Office
The family’s daughter, Katie Leffler, and her friend survived the crash, according to USA Today.
Christopher Leffler was a teacher at Calvary Day School and his son Nathan was a big crescent, the school said in a statement.
“We are saddened to report the deaths of our teacher, Mr. Chris Leffler, and his wife, Lori, who died today from injuries sustained in a boating accident,” school administrators said.
Robert Chauncey, a 37-year-old passenger on the other ship, also died in the crash.
One of the boats sank as a result of the collision, while the other was badly damaged.