State Delegate Admits To Drinking While Operating Boat That Crashed
SANDY POINT, Md. (WJZ)-- State Delegate Don Dwyer makes an explosive confession the day after his boat crashed on the Magothy River. He admits he drank alcohol behind the wheel, and now, he could face charges.
Seven people were rushed to the hospital, including Del. Dwyer himself.
Meghan McCorkell has the latest from Shock Trauma.
Dwyer made a brief statement outside the hospital admitting he was drinking when he got behind the wheel of his boat.
In a wheelchair with a neck brace, Dwyer made a shocking confession about the boat crash he was in just 24 hours ago.
"It is true that I was drinking while operating my boat yesterday. It's also been reported that my blood alcohol content was .2," Dwyer (R-Anne Arundel County) said.
That's more than twice the legal limit.
Video Of Dwyer's Prepared Statement To Reporters:
Dwyer was driving his speedboat in the Magothy River when it collided with another boat carrying two adults and five children. Witnesses say it was a head-on collision.
"I kept watching them individually and I kept thinking, 'Well, why isn't anyone slowing down?'" witness Allen Woytowitz said.
Theresa Taylor's stepson was on the other boat. He says Dwyer came right at them.
"They went to avoid this boat and the boat cut right in front of them as they were coming out," Taylor said.
When neighbors in this area saw and heard the crash, they jumped in their own boats to help.
"The whole front of the boat was missing and lots of blood," Lisa Willis said.
Willis, a nurse, helped get the injured back to shore.
"The one little girl was thrown from the boat like 30 feet," she said.
The 5-year old suffered a skull fracture. Another child, a broken arm. Two other children were also taken to the hospital.
"My heart and prayers go out to the family that was involved in the incident. And I pray for them to have a speedy recovery," Dwyer said.
Police are now analyzing both boats involved to try to determine what happened.
Natural Resources Police tell WJZ Dwyer could potentially face charges of operating a boat while intoxicated and negligent boating.
