NJ Man Indicted For Vehicular Manslaughter In Fatal Boating Accident

FREEHOLD, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) - A boater who was allegedly drunk when his vessel collided with another on a central New Jersey river two years ago has been indicted on a vehicular homicide charge.

A Monmouth County grand jury handed up the indictment against George Harrington on Monday.

According to prosecutors, Harrington's boat collided with Christopher Plante's vessel around 11:30 p.m. on July 23, 2011. Authorities were not able to recover Plante's body from the Navesink River in Middletown until the next morning.

Harrington, 41, of Middletown, was released after posting $150,000 bail. He faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.

WEB EXTRA: Read Indictment Against George Harrington (pdf)

Prosecutors contend Harrington was operating his boat while under the influence of alcohol and at an unsafe rate of speed at the time of the crash.

Harrington's lawyer, Christopher Adams, tells the Asbury Park Press that Harrington maintains his innocence.

Authorities say Harrington was operating a Boston Whaler that collided with a Stingray powerboat. Plante, a 50-year-old Keansburg resident who was in the powerboat, was ejected from his vessel in the accident.

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