Boat Driver Pleads Guilty In Fatal Hudson River Crash That Killed Bride-To-Be, Best Man
NEW CITY, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) - The man charged in a boating accident that killed a Rockland County bride-to-be and her groom's best man pleaded guilty Monday.
Jojo John pleaded guilty to two counts of vehicular manslaughter. He'll serve two years in jail.
Prosecutors say John, 35, was under the influence and at the controls of a 19-foot power boat when it slammed into a construction barge last July.
Lindsey Stewart, the bride-to-be, and her fiance's best man Mark Lennon died in the crash. Four others also suffered injuries.
In a statement, John's attorney said his client "expresses his condolences to the Stewart and Lennon families for their tragic losses. Although the criminal matter will soon be resolved, Mr. John continues to mourn the loss of his two close friends, Lindsey Stewart and Mark Lennon. Additionally, his thoughts and prayers are with Brian Bond, John Schumacher and Dan Diiorgi, who were also affected by this heartbreaking accident."
John originally pleaded not guilty to manslaughter and other charges when he was indicted last fall.
John's attorney had previously made the case that the crash was rooted in conditions around the Tappan Zee Bridge construction barges. In his statement, John's attorney said the lighting conditions of the barges will be addressed in federal court.
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