A 59-year-old New Jersey woman was charged Wednesday with multiple offenses after authorities allege she was operating a boat under the influence when it struck a channel marker on Memorial Day, killing her 28-year-old son.
Jennifer L. Pearson surrendered to New Jersey State Police on August 19 and is now held at the Ocean County Jail. She faces charges including death by vessel, operating a vessel under the influence, reckless operation, operating without a boating safety certificate, and failure to maintain a proper lookout, according to a New Jersey State Police news release.
On May 27 at approximately 5:45 p.m., Pearson was piloting a 23-foot center console boat in Barnegat Bay near the Brant Beach Yacht Club in Long Beach when the vessel collided with a channel marker. The impact ejected her son, Gunnar Pearson, and his girlfriend into the water. Gunnar Pearson was transported to a hospital and later died from his injuries. Four others aboard the vessel sustained minor injuries.
Investigators reported detecting the smell of alcohol when Pearson arrived to speak with them. Court documents cited by NJ 101.5 indicate her blood alcohol concentration registered between .09 and .12, exceeding New Jersey’s legal limit of .08 for boating. Pearson told investigators she had consumed two alcoholic drinks earlier that afternoon.
Pearson is charged with second-degree death by vessel, a felony offense under New Jersey law. The charges also include misdemeanor counts of operating a vessel while intoxicated and reckless operation. Authorities allege she lacked a required boating safety certificate and failed to maintain a proper lookout, contributing to the collision.
Gunnar Pearson, described in an online obituary as “kind, funny, and deeply caring,” had recently completed renovations on his first home in Forked River. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed skiing, fishing, boating, running, and hunting. He is survived by his mother, Jennifer, and other family members.
The incident remains under investigation by New Jersey State Police Troop C. No further details about the investigation have been released.