Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and New Jersey State Police Superintendent Colonel Patrick J. Callahan announce that based upon an investigation by the New Jersey State Police, in conjunction with the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, Shawn Kelly, 44, of Paramus, was arrested today without incident in relation to a hit-and-run boating incident that took place on September 5, 2016 on Greenwood Lake in West Milford.
Authorities charged Kelly with Leaving the Scene of a Boating Accident Resulting in Death, Second Degree; Death by Vessel, Second Degree; Leaving the Scene of a Boating Accident Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury; Third Degree; Assault by Vessel, Fourth Degree; and two counts of Assault by Vessel, Disorderly Persons Offense.
According to officials, on September 5, 2016, at approximately 8:36 p.m., Edwin Lane was operating his vessel on Greenwood Lake, returning to his marina accompanied by his wife Mary Lane, and two family friends Robert and Eileen Roon. As they were approaching their marina, they were struck from behind by another vessel. The striking vessel immediately left the scene.
As a result of the collision, Ed Lane and Robert Roon were rendered unconscious, both suffering serious head injuries. Mary Lane and Eileen Roon, who both suffered non-life threatening injuries, were able to return their vessel safely to shore and called for emergency assistance. Ed Lane never recovered from the injuries he sustained and died a few weeks later at St. Joseph’s University Medical Center.
Officials say Mary Lane and Eileen Roon were both treated and released from the hospital the night of the accident, and Robert Roon was airlifted to the hospital and eventually recovered from his injuries.
During the course of the investigation, it was determined that the vessel belonging to Shawn Kelly sustained damage consistent with the corresponding damage sustained by the Lane’s vessel.
The damage to Kelly’s vessel included scratches on the hull, paint transfers under the water line, and damage to the out drive and the propeller.
Additionally, during the investigation it was determined that Kelly was alone on his vessel at the time of the incident and was traveling along the same path and direction as the victim’s vessel. A subsequent accident reconstruction analyzing the damage to both vessels confirmed that Kelly’s boat was in fact the vessel that struck the Lane’s vessel from behind.
Officials say Shawn Kelly is scheduled to appear at Central Judicial Processing on August 17th at 1:30 p.m. A detention motion has been filed by the State and will be heard by a Superior Court Judge at a later date to be determined by the court.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.