A 28-year-old Mastic Beach man was indicted for allegedly operating and crashing a boat while under the influence of alcohol.
On May 25 at approximately 8:40 p.m., Edward Hillkewicz allegedly operated a 33-foot boat on Peconic Bay heading back to Hampton Bays after consuming alcohol earlier that day in Greenport. While navigating the boat at a high rate of speed, he allegedly crashed into a jetty in front of Meschutt Park. The impact of the crash caused the vessel to catapult into the Shinnecock Canal wall and then ricochet. The boat then slammed into a different part of the jetty and grounded on the sand in Meschutt Park.
Passengers on the boat at the time of the crash included Hillkewicz’s fiancé, two other adult passengers, and two young children ages two and six.
Southampton Town Police responded to the scene and placed Hillkewicz under arrest. Hillkewicz’s fiancé was airlifted to Stony Brook University Hospital where she had two surgeries on her spine before being transferred to another hospital for rehabilitation and continued medical treatment. Currently, she has limited movement from the waist down. The two adults and two children also on board were not seriously injured.
On July 16, Hillkewicz was arraigned on the indictment before County Court Judge James A. McDonaugh for the following charges contained in the indictment:
- One count of Assault in the Second Degree, a Class D felony
- One count of Vehicular Assault in the Second Degree, a Class E felony
- Two counts of Operating a Vessel While Intoxicated with a Passenger Less Than 15 Years Old, Class E felonies
- Two counts of Operating a Vessel while Intoxicated, Unclassified misdemeanors
- Two counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, Class A misdemeanors
- One count of Reckless Endangerment, a Class A misdemeanor
- One count of Reckless Operation of a Vessel, a Class A misdemeanor
McDonaugh ordered Hillkewicz placed on supervised release and suspended his vessel license during the pendency of the case. Hillkewicz is due back in court on September 4 and faces up to seven years in prison if convicted of the top count.
“As this case demonstrates, boating while intoxicated is every bit as dangerous as driving while intoxicated, and is the leading factor in fatal boating accidents,” said Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney. “I will continue to work alongside our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to enforce maritime laws and prosecute violators.”