Stephen Schneider, 63, surrendered and faces charges after a July 19 boating crash in which a 30-foot Tidewater Custom 280 struck a channel marker in the Intracoastal Waterway, tossing a 9-year-old girl and a 7-year-old boy into the water; both children later died. Schneider was charged with two counts of second-degree reckless vessel homicide, plus additional vessel-operation charges, authorities said. The case remains under investigation and online court records did not list the matter as of Saturday.
Man Charged With Reckless Vessel Homicide After Boating Crash Kills Two Children
New Jersey State Police on June 30, 2026, in East Rutherford, N.J.
Stephen Schneider, 63, surrendered to authorities Friday and was charged in connection with a July boating crash that prosecutors say threw two children into the water, where they later died, New Jersey State Police said.
Incident Details
According to state police and reporting by NBC Philadelphia, the crash occurred on the evening of July 19 at about 9:09 p.m. Authorities say a 30-foot Tidewater Custom 280 struck a channel marker in the Intracoastal Waterway, throwing a 9-year-old girl and a 7-year-old boy into the water. Both children subsequently died.
Charges And Investigation
Schneider, of Bayville, was arrested and charged with two counts of second-degree reckless vessel homicide, plus one count each of operating a vessel under the influence and reckless operation of a vessel, New Jersey State Police said. The agency also said the case remains under investigation.
Court Records And Representation
Online court records did not show the case as of Saturday, and it was not clear whether Schneider had retained an attorney who could speak on his behalf.
The report was first published on NBCNews.com and has been cited by New Jersey State Police in their public statements.
The investigation is ongoing; authorities have released limited details while they continue to gather evidence and interview witnesses.
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