Hudson River Boating Accident: Best Man Still Missing, Charges Filed Against Driver

A Hudson River boating accident has left a bride-to-be dead and her groom’s best man missing.

Ahead of their wedding, Lindsey Stewart and Brian Bond chose to take a nine-mile ride from the village of Piermont in Rockland County to Tarrytown. The couple boarded a 21-foot Stingray power boat on the Hudson river alongside several friends.

The short trip on a clear, balmy night quickly turned to disaster as the Stingray struck the side of one of three barges that were latched together at a construction site near the Tappan Zee Bridge.

The barges were put in place by a contractor who was building a new bridge. The barges had been anchored since April.

As the boat smashed into the barge, Stewart and best man Mark Lennon where hurled from the boat and thrown into the river.

Immediately following the Hudson river boating accident, emergency crews rushed to the scene. Despite his own serious head injuries, it was Brian Bond who called 911 at 10:41 pm.

Rescue workers thoroughly scoured the area but found no sign of Bond’s best man. Several hours later, a body believed to belong to Stewart was found one-eighth of a mile up stream.

Four other people aboard the Hudson River boating accident suffered head injuries and were taken to a local hospital for observation.

One of the injured men — Jojo K. John, 35 — was arrested and charged with first-degree vehicular manslaughter and three counts of second-degree vehicular assault.

K. John was believed to be intoxicated and was responsible for driving the boat at the time of the Hudson River accident. According to police, “We have probable cause to believe that he operated the boat while intoxicated.”

Brian Bond is currently hospitalized and in “no condition to talk,” according to recent reports. Doctors have listed Bond in “fair condition” at this time.

Investigators are currently examining if the barge’s lights were in working order at the time of the accident.

More information to follow as investigators further their Hudson River boating accident investigation.