SAVANNAH, Ga. – While a community mourns the five victims who died in a boat accident, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources says its investigation will take weeks before it ends.
Officials recovered three more bodies Sunday morning following Saturday’s crash on the Wilmington River near Savannah.
ABC News spoke with two sailors who saw the boats moments before the crash. In all, nine people were on the two boats when they crashed. Five people were killed and four others were injured.
“They were coming. One was going north and south along the intercost and they turned around. It’s a very, very steep corner, “said Stepp Syndor.” They were going so fast, so there’s no way they could have, you know, fixed it. And then when they hit, the damage was significant. Everyone flew out of the boat. “
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Chris Leffler, his wife Lori and their two children Zack, 23, and Nate, 17, died in the crash on a boat. Katie Leffler, her only daughter, and a friend survived the crash.
Robert Chauncey, 37, of Savannah, died on the second boat involved in the crash.
Georgia’s DNR has accused Mark Stegall, a local businessman, of navigating under the influence.
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Chris Leffler worked as a history teacher and coach at Calvary Day School, a private Christian school in Savannah.
“We love the Leffler family and our hearts are broken. I want to thank all the first responders and all those who continue to pray for the Calvary community and the Leffler family. Everyone who knows them has seen the faith in action. Chris, Lori, Zack and Nate were loved by many and we will miss them so much, “said Dr. Hunter Chadwick in a statement.
“Chris was great at building relationships with students, parents and classmates. He was a great teacher, coach and friend. Nate, a senior at Calvary Day, had a calm demeanor, a contagious smile and a passion for athletics. He was loved by his teammates, he was a big brother and a loving son. “
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According to DNR, the hunters were called in for a boating accident on the Wilmington River, near the docks of the Oatland Island Wildlife Center, where Richardson Creek and the Wilmington River in Chatham County are located. 10:30 a.m. Saturday morning.
Witnesses said two center console ships were heading in opposite directions when they crashed into each other.
Channel 2 ABC affiliate WJCL News 22 He had a picture of Stegall talking to police on the river on Saturday.
According to public records, he owns several restaurants in the Netherlands. He is also an avid sailor and owns several boats.
DNR investigators are still investigating the case. The department said it will continue to investigate for another six to eight weeks.
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