A 21-year-old South Carolina man faces an involuntary manslaughter charge in connection with a fatal boat crash near Shem Creek that killed a Citadel cadet, according to state wildlife officials.
S.C. Department of Natural Resources officers arrested Edward Marion Tavel III on June 2, following an April boat crash in Mount Pleasant’s Shem Creek, that left one person dead, FITS News reports.
The victim has been identified as Evan Andrew Greenleigh, 19, of Bethesda, Maryland. Court documents indicate that Greenleigh, a Citadel cadet, died from blunt force trauma.
Tavel, identified as the son of prominent physician, Edward M. Tavel Jr., is facing one count of manslaughter, filed by the S.C. Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division.
According to the Post & Courier, police arrived at the scene at around 11 p.m. on April 25, after a 911 caller stated that “these people are f***** hammered,” bloodied, and unable to assist.
The caller also said that she had met the male boat driver at a bar that evening.
First responders found numerous people near a dock by King Street, with blood on their clothing. The emergency crew spotted people on a boat attempting to revive Greenleigh, who was subsequently pronounced dead at the scene.
Several others were taken to an area hospital for treatment.
DNR investigators determined that Tavel had been operating a vessel with seven occupants, which exceeded its maximum safety capacity of four people, when the crash occurred. Five people, including Greenleigh, were in the front part of the boat, obstructing view, Live 5 News reports.
Investigators also noted that Tavel failed to spot a floating dock, resulting in the crash.
Although investigators determined that Tavel consumed alcohol that day, a blood alcohol test conducted at a hospital indicated no alcohol in his system.
Online court records indicated that Tavel was released on personal recognizance and faces a July hearing.
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[Featured image via S.C. Department of Natural Resources LED]
