4th of July Tragedy
(07/05/03) GREAT SOUTH BAY Sayville N.Y. - A boating accident in the Great South Bay has left one man dead, and another charged with boating while intoxicated.
Police say Walter Reams of Sayville and 6 others were aboard a 25-foot Parker boat, making their way from Ocean Bay Park on Fire Island to Sayville. Ream, who's 70, was sitting on the railing of the boat when he fell overboard at about 11 p.m Friday night.
The Sayville Fire Department was called about Midnight followed by a Fire/Rescue boat from Great River and the Bayport Fire Departments Rescue Boat and Water Rescue team. The police, Fire Departments and coast guard launched several search boats and a helicopter from SCPD and Coast Guard Cape Cod to find Reams. But 12 hours later, a ferry found Reams' body floating in the Great South Bay.
While homicide investigators collected evidence from the boat, it's operator, Rudolph Pinka, was in court for arraignment on a charge of boating while intoxicated.
Police say Pinka was not speeding and it did not appear that his intoxication had anything to do with Reams falling into the water.
Police also say Pinka may face more charges, pending the outcome of the investigation.
Police say Walter Reams of Sayville and 6 others were aboard a 25-foot Parker boat, making their way from Ocean Bay Park on Fire Island to Sayville. Ream, who's 70, was sitting on the railing of the boat when he fell overboard at about 11 p.m Friday night.
The Sayville Fire Department was called about Midnight followed by a Fire/Rescue boat from Great River and the Bayport Fire Departments Rescue Boat and Water Rescue team. The police, Fire Departments and coast guard launched several search boats and a helicopter from SCPD and Coast Guard Cape Cod to find Reams. But 12 hours later, a ferry found Reams' body floating in the Great South Bay.
While homicide investigators collected evidence from the boat, it's operator, Rudolph Pinka, was in court for arraignment on a charge of boating while intoxicated.
Police say Pinka was not speeding and it did not appear that his intoxication had anything to do with Reams falling into the water.
Police also say Pinka may face more charges, pending the outcome of the investigation.
Police inspect the vessel after it was towed to SCPD Marine HQ in Great River.