Jet ski driver accused of causing fatal accident under the influence of alcohol in New York
A New Jersey man was arrested after being accused of causing a jet ski accident on the Harlem River that left a 26-year-old woman dead.
A 27-year-old man was arrested after being accused of causing a fatal jet ski crash near Randall's Island in New York that left a 26-year-old woman dead.
The detainee was identified as Yeisson Reyes-Rodriguez, a resident of Passaic, New Jersey, who faces charges of second-degree involuntary manslaughter and second-degree vehicular manslaughter, according to a criminal complaint reviewed by the New York Post.
According to authorities, the incident occurred around 10:00 p.m. on Saturday night in the Harlem River.
Group was returning on jet skis when the impact occurred
According to the investigation, Reyes-Rodriguez and four other people had remained on Randall's Island listening to music and consuming alcoholic beverages before returning to Fort Lee, New Jersey.
The group used several jet skis to cross the river.
Authorities indicated that Reyes-Rodriguez was driving one of the boats accompanied by a 28-year-old woman. Another jet ski was driven by a 26-year-old man who had the fatal victim as a passenger.
The complaint maintains that when one of the drivers made a turn to change direction, the jet ski operated by Reyes-Rodriguez collided with the other boat.
The victim was found unconscious in the water
After the crash, the four people traveling on both jet skis were ejected into the water.
The 26-year-old woman was found floating and unconscious. She was later transferred to Harlem Hospital, where her death was confirmed.
Court documents state that Reyes-Rodriguez underwent a breathalyzer test around 11:40 p.m., which returned a blood alcohol level of 0.141%.
According to the complaint, operating a jet ski or any vehicle with an alcohol concentration equal to or greater than 0.08% constitutes a violation.
During interviews with investigators, the defendant allegedly claimed to have consumed three drinks prior to the return and also stated that darkness made visibility difficult at the time of the accident.
Reyes-Rodriguez appeared in court and was held on $25,000 bail while the court process continues.

