The man and woman who lost their lives in Friday evening's deadly motorboat crash—a Rockland bride and best man at an upcoming wedding—died of drowning, the Rockland County Medical Examiner’s Office told Patch Monday afternoon.
The deaths occurred shortly after their boat slammed into a construction barge adjacent to the Tappan Zee Bridge. Lindsey Stewart—30, and from Piermont—and Mark Lennon, 30 and from Pearl River, were both killed.
Dr. Laura Carbone with the Medical Examiner's Office determined the cause of death for Stewart was drowning, and severe head injuries. The cause of death for Lennon was identified as drowning. He suffered minor bodily injuries, authorities added.
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Stewart’s body was found early Saturday afternoon and Lennon’s body was discovered late Sunday morning.
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According to Carbone, toxicology tests for drugs and alcohol are being conducted and will take several weeks.
“Both deaths are being certified as ‘vehicular homicide’ based upon information from the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office,” Carbone said.
Earlier today, District Attorney Thomas Zugibe said his office is seeking upgraded charges against boat driver Jojo K. John, 35. Police believe alcohol may have been involved.
John, of Nyack, was charged Saturday with one count of Vehicular Manslaughter, Second Degree, a class “D” Felony and three counts of Vehicular Assault, Second Degree, class “E” Felonies. There was no change to the charges as of late Monday afternoon.
John was arraigned while being treated in Nyack Hospital; bail was set at $250,000. Zugibe said Grand Jury Notice was served at the arraignment.
The investigation into the accident by the district attorney’s office, Rockland County Sheriff’s Department and other law enforcement agencies is continuing.
Stewart’s fiancé, Brian Bond of Pearl River, was one of the four other people on the boat.
Stewart and Bond were planning to get married on August 10. Lennon was to be the best man at the wedding.
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