Youngster killed, girl loses leg after man drives boat into swimmers on Harris Lake; boat driver charged with DWI: NC Wildlife

CHATHAM COUNTY, N.C. (WTVD) — The man dealing with expenses in a lethal boating accident at Harris Lake in Chatham County on Saturday made his first court docket look Monday afternoon.

The Chatham County District Attorney, Jeff Nieman, tells ABC11 News that the fees could possibly be elevated to second-degree homicide.

According to the NC Wildlife Resource Commission (WRC), a 10-year-old lady was killed and a lady was severely injured. The girl’s left leg needed to be amputated, investigators say.

The man charged is 40-year-old Quinten Kight. WRC says he was working a wake boat, pulling a tube behind, circling round, and drove the boat into a gaggle of three swimmers, inflicting the lady’s demise and extreme accidents to the lady, recognized as Jennifer Stehle.

“It appeared that everybody, including Mr. Kight, were looking backwards at the person being pulled and not forwards, which contributed to where we find ourselves today. Tragically, that prop severed a leg of both of these victims,” Nieman stated.

Kight was charged with felony boating whereas impaired and misdemeanor boating whereas impaired. Authorities stated they’re awaiting the outcomes of a blood draw carried out on Kight after the incident, which may result in an elevated cost.

Thirty-nine empty alcohol containers on Kight’s boat after the wreck and a further 50 empty alcohol containers have been discovered outdoors of the boat, in response to the Chatham County District Attorney’s Office.

Officers tried to do an onside sobriety check on Kight after the accident; nonetheless, investigators “Determined that he was unable to follow the instructions,” Nieman stated.

Sgt. Claude Smith with the NC WRC says the accident was preventable.

“It’s absolutely preventable. Any time that, you know, someone gets out on the water and partakes in, you know, drinking alcohol or using any other impairing substance.”

The decide set Kight’s bond at $500,000 secured on the present expenses.

The Victims

The lady, her mother and Stehle have been swimming collectively as a part of a gaggle at Harris Lake.

Wake County Public School System confirms the 10-year-old lady was a fifth-grade pupil at West Lake Elementary and Stehle is a social employee on the similar faculty, which is situated in Apex.

The DA’s workplace remains to be ready to fulfill with the sufferer’s households.

“Obviously, this is a very sad and tragic situation where we’re going to definitely have those conversations, but also give them time to grieve and to process what they’ve been through,” Nieman tells ABC11 News.

Previous Charges

ABC11 News has discovered that Quinten Kight is presently out on bond for expenses in one other North Carolina county. Documents present he has been charged in a 2023 hit-and-run of a person who was on a motorbike. Investigators say they discovered the person mendacity on the bottom with a critical damage to his leg subsequent to his bike. They say the driving force had left the scene.

The Investigation

While the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission is main the investigation, the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) is aiding as wanted and stays dedicated to supporting each our companions and the households affected. The sheriff says his workplace can be working intently with the District Attorney’s Office because the case strikes ahead.

Monday, the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office launched an announcement on the case:

“Our community is grieving the tragic loss of a 10-year-old child and the critical injury of a woman after they were struck by a boat at Harris Lake over the weekend.”

“This was a heartbreaking accident, but one that was preventable,” stated Sheriff Mike Roberson. “Alcohol was a factor, and the decision to operate a boat while impaired had devastating consequences. We urge everyone to think twice before mixing alcohol with watercraft operation. It only takes a moment for lives to be changed forever.”

“We ask the public to keep the families and loved ones of those involved in your thoughts and prayers. We are also grateful to the deputies, first responders, and medical professionals who responded swiftly and courageously in an incredibly difficult situation.”

For details about the continuing investigation, please contact the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.

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