PHOTO BY YURII KIBALNIK – STOCK.ADOBE.COM A fatal boating collision investigation has resulted in the first conviction under North Carolina’s Death by Impaired Boating law.
Matthew Ferster of Brunswick County, N.C. pleaded guilty to three counts of Death by Impaired Boating and was sentenced to 9½ to 18½ years in prison for his role in a March 2020 boating collision. Jennifer Hayer, 26, Megan Lynn, 21, and Garret Smith, 21, all of Columbus County, N.C., died in the accident.
Also known as Sheyenne’s Law, Death by Impaired boating was passed in July 2016 and increased the penalty for impaired boating that results in death or serious injury from a misdemeanor to a felony.
The law was named in memory of Sheyenne Marshall, a 17-year-old from Concord, N.C., who was killed by an impaired boater while she was kneeboarding on Lake Norman in July 2015. After learning that boating while impaired was a Class 2 misdemeanor, the Marshall family lobbied the North Carolina general assembly for tougher penalties for impaired boating.
Sgt. Matt Criscoe, from the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission’s law enforcement division, led the investigation with more than 20 local, state and federal agencies.
“North Carolina Wildlife law enforcement officers continue to provide a safe and enjoyable recreational boating experience to the boating public through both proactive law enforcement efforts and educational opportunities,” wildlife law enforcement Capt. Branden Jones said in a statement. “The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission would like to thank each of the assisting agencies for their time and dedication during this investigation. Partnerships such as these allow for successful prosecution of crimes and justice for the victims.”
