The State of North Carolina will now file felony charges against operators of boats who cause injuries while under the influence of alcohol. Legislators named the law “Sheyenne’s Law” after Concord teenager Sheyenne Marshall, who was killed on Lake Norman July 4, 2015, by a drunk boater. Lawmakers hope to deter individuals from boating under the influence of substances while providing additional restitution to victims of BUI boating accidents.
Anyone who has been injured by a vessel operator, especially one under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, may now possibly have additional civil recourse in light of the law’s harshened criminal penalties regarding such accidents.