Facebook Page Created for Lanier Boating Crash Victims
Prince Sr., the victims' grandfather, relates details of the incident.
Photos
A memorial Facebook page has been set up for Jake and Griffin Prince, the Buford youths who were victims of this week's boating crash on Lake Lanier.
Jake, 9, was killed in Monday's collision, and Griffin, 13, still is missing. Diving teams have been searching for his body since the collision occurred late Monday.
As of 4:20 p.m., the Facebook page already has accumulated more than 1,600 likes, in addition to many comments and photo uploads.
What are your thoughts on this incident? Tell us in the comments below.
Michael Prince Sr., the boys' grandfather, told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that a party led by his son, Michael Prince Jr., was aboard a pontoon boat on Lake Lanier when the collision occurred.
"They were on their way home," Prince said.
The force of the collision sent all 13 on board into the waters of Lanier. Ryan Prince, 15, recovered the body of his brother Jake.
"The only reason he didn't get Griffin was because (Griffin) wasn't wearing a life jacket," Mike Prince Sr. said.
Prince Sr. was out of town delivering a boat to Florida on Monday.
Paul Bennett, a Johns Creek hair salon owner, has been charged with boating under the influence in connection with the crash. Reports say the collision was virtually head-on, and that those on the pontoon boat had no time to react.
An unidentified woman was also on Bennett's boat when the arrest took place but has not been charged, authorities said.
Griffin Prince was a student at Lanier Middle in Gwinnett County. A memorial service for the boys will be held when Griffin's body is recovered.
See also:
- UPDATE: Man Faces BUI Charge in Lanier Boating Fatality
- Names Released of Lanier Boating Collision Victims
- Lawrenceville Father, Stepson Drown in Lake Lanier
- Lanier Boating Accident Almost Cost Youth His Leg
Patch will have continuing coverage of this incident.
Mary Ann Huggins
10:09 pm on Sunday, June 24, 2012
I am not a boater so I have two questions that are on my mind since this terrible accident. If boats are allowed on the lake after dark why in the world are lights not required? My other question is, not being a boater, myself I can't understand why these adults had a pontoon full of children out on the lake at 10:30 at night. It just doesn't seem to me it was a responsible thing to do given the lack of laws on the lake.
Jill
6:48 pm on Monday, July 9, 2012
Mary - you should be ashamed. Two innocent little boys were killed by a drunk boater and the person you choose to judge is the father who did absolutely nothing wrong??? You said yourself that you are not a boater, so why bother commenting on it? Boating late at night is not abnormal and should never be judged as poor parenting, especially by someone with no knowledge. My heart and prayers go out to this family who is certainly dealing with enough without comments attacking their parenting skills. Blame lies with the drunk boater alone. If you have no knowledge of the laws (lights are required) and they aren't your kids....you have no right to judge.
eileen
6:18 pm on Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Boats are required to have lights at dusk. I think the blame here needs to remain with the drunk boater who caused this terrible accident and leave these poor parents alone. Judge when the facts come out and not before.