A 28-year-old man is facing multiple charges after allegedly operating a boat while intoxicated and crashing into a jetty in Peconic Bay, leaving five people injured, including two young children and his fiancé.
According to the Suffolk County Police Department, Edward Hillkewicz was driving a 33-foot boat on the evening of May 25 after consuming alcohol in Greenport. Authorities say he was speeding toward Hampton Bays when the vessel slammed into a jetty in front of Meschutt Park around 8:40 p.m. The violent impact reportedly launched the boat into the Shinnecock Canal wall, ricocheted off, and struck another section of the jetty before grounding on the sand.
Emergency responders arrived at the scene and arrested Hillkewicz, who was said to be under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash.
Among the injured were Hillkewicz’s fiancé, two other adults, and two children aged 2 and 6. His fiancé sustained severe spinal injuries requiring two surgeries and now has limited movement from the waist down. The others suffered less serious injuries.
Hillkewicz is charged with multiple offenses, including assault, vehicular assault, operating a vessel while intoxicated with a child under 15 on board, endangering the welfare of a child, and reckless operation of a vessel. He has been placed on supervised release and had his boating license suspended pending trial. If convicted, he faces up to seven years in prison.
The case has sparked concern over boating safety and the dangers of alcohol consumption while operating watercraft, particularly with children onboard.
