New Jersey mother allegedly drunk when boat hit channel marker on Memorial Day, killing her son

A 59-year-old New Jersey woman, Jennifer L. Pearson, was charged after a Memorial Day boating crash in Barnegat Bay near the Brant Beach Yacht Club that killed her 28-year-old son. State police say Pearson was allegedly intoxicated while operating her 23-foot center console. Authorities charged her with death by vessel (a second-degree offense), operating a vessel under the influence, reckless operation, operating without a boating safety certificate, and failure to maintain a proper lookout. The collision occurred around 5:45 p.m., sending Pearson’s son, Gunnar Pearson, and his girlfriend into the water. Gunnar died in the aftermath; four others were hospitalized with minor injuries.