Intoxicated Mother Charged in Jersey Shore Boat Crash That Killed Her Son

A New Jersey mother, Jennifer Pearson, is facing criminal charges after authorities say she was intoxicated when her boat crash near the Jersey Shore killed her adult son. Pearson, 59, was operating a 23-foot center console boat near the Brant Beach Yacht Club in Long Beach around 5:45 p.m. on Memorial Day when the vessel struck a marker in Barnegat Bay, according to charging documents. Her 28-year-old son, Gunnar Pearson, and his girlfriend were thrown into the water; Gunnar later died, while four other people had minor injuries. Pearson surrendered after tests showed a blood alcohol concentration between .09 and .12, above the .08 legal limit, and faces charges including death by vessel and reckless operation.