As we reported on Monday, the SC Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) arrested Dylan Yancey Steele, 26. He is facing two counts of Driving Under the Influence (DUI)and criminal charges related to operating a water device resulting in death.

Newberry County Coroner’s Report

The Newberry County Coroner’s Office, along with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, are investigating a boating collision that occurred on Saturday, August 1. The call was received to 911 Communications at approximately at 9:43 pm. The collision occurred on the Broad River waterway in Newberry County.

Coroner Laura Kneece has identified Jamie Lindler, 27, of Chapin, and Andrew Bunnell, 28, of Irmo, as the deceased victims of the boat collision. Autopsies are pending and this incident remains under investigation of the Newberry County Coroner’s Office and South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.

Newberry County Sheriff’s Department Report:

Saturday night around 9:43 pm, Fairfield County 911 received a call about a boating accident on Broad River. The call was transferred to Newberry County and telecommunicators were able to determine that there had been a collision between at least two boats with injuries and people in the water. Sheriff’s Office, EMS, Fire, Rescue, Water Rescue, and SCDNR were immediately dispatched to the Dominion Energy Heller’s Creek Recreation Area just off Broad River Road near Pomaria/Peak.

Upon arrival, first responders began a search of the creek and the Broad River. Rescue personnel found the accident and began heroic measures to save the life of one of the victims. Another rescue crew began a search for other victims. Three were located in one boat with no apparent injuries, but one person was missing. The rescue crews continued to search and found the body of the missing boater. Unfortunately, the first victim did not survive.

It appears there were three boats involved in the accident as a group of five people were returning to the landing after recreating on the river.

SC Department of Natural Resources and Newberry Coroner’s Office are investigating the accident and the death respectively.

Sheriff Foster commended the first responders for their efforts in difficult conditions on a remote area of the Broad River. All the first responders offer their condolences to the families that lost loved ones.