Authorities say a couple from Batesburg-Leesville, South Carolina, who were killed when their boat hit a dock on Lake Murray, were legally drunk, reports South Carolina news source The State.
Tests show that Timothy Jones, who was operating the boat, had a blood-alcohol content of 0.357 and his passenger Kimberly Bailey had a BAC of 0.187, The State said. The state's legal limit for driving impaired in operating a boat is 0.08.
The couple died after their boat crashed into a dock on the south share of the lake after leaving a friend's house shortly before, according to the news source.
Steve Wyrostek, an insurance expert, wrote on BoatInsurance.org that under no circumstance should anyone operate a boat after consuming alcohol, as even a small amount can effect reaction time and decision making.
Before going out onto the water, Wyrostek writes that boaters should check their
small boat insurance policy to make sure the boat will be covered in the case of an emergency, such as a crash.