Lawrence Shieh, 40, of Boston, has been indicted on multiple charges in connection with a May 13 boat crash that killed 24-year-old Elizabeth "Lizzie" Dankert and injured two friends, according to Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden.
Prosecutors allege Shieh was intoxicated and dancing with his hands off the wheel when he crashed a stolen boat into a pier. His blood-alcohol level was recorded at .20, more than twice the legal limit in Massachusetts. The boat, which lacked exterior lighting, was taken without authorization from the Freedom Boat Club in Boston's Seaport District.
Cellphone videos, including footage from Dankert's phone, reportedly show Shieh's inattentiveness at the helm and dancing with passengers. Approximately six seconds before the crash, Shieh is seen on video with both hands off the wheel, according to Hayden. Data recovered from the boat's navigation system indicates the vessel was traveling at approximately 36 mph, a dangerously excessive speed for the area, at the time of impact.
Dankert, a former college soccer player and 2024 graduate of Union College, died from blunt force injuries sustained in the crash. Shieh and the two other passengers suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
Shieh faces charges including involuntary manslaughter, boat OUI causing death, two counts of boat OUI causing serious bodily injury, using a boat without authority, and a Logan International Airport security zone violation. He was released after posting $25,000 cash bail, with conditions that include staying away from witnesses, Fan Pier, Freedom Boat Club employees, and the ReelHouse bar, as well as prohibiting him from boating or consuming alcohol during the investigation. A pre-trial conference is scheduled for October 8.
![Elizabeth "Lizzie" Dankert]( "Elizabeth "Lizzie" Dankert")