New Jersey mother allegedly drunk when boat hit channel marker on Memorial Day, killing her son

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A 59-year-old New Jersey mother was allegedly drunk at the helm when her boat slammed into a channel marker on Memorial Day, killing her 28-year-old son.

Jennifer L. Pearson, 59, is charged with death by vessel, a second-degree offense; operating a vessel under the influence; reckless operation of a vessel; operating a vessel without a Boating Safety Certificate; and failure to have a proper lookout, according to a New Jersey State Police news release.

On Memorial Day at around 5:45 p.m., Pearson was boating in Barnegat Bay near the Brant Beach Yacht Club in Long Beach when she allegedly smashed her 23-foot center console into the marker sending her son, Gunnar Pearson, 28, and his girlfriend flying into the water, according to charging documents obtained by NJ101.5.

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Gunnar Pearson was rushed to the hospital, but later died. Four others were hospitalized with minor injuries. Pearson voluntarily surrendered at New Jersey State Police Troop “C” Tuckerton Station on Wednesday, Aug. 19, state police said.

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According to court documents cited by NJ 101.5, Pearson’s blood alcohol level registered between .09 and .12, just above the legal limit of .08. Investigators detected the smell of alcohol when she arrived to speak with them, and she told them she had consumed two alcoholic drinks earlier that afternoon.

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Pearson is being held at the Ocean County Jail.

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According to an online obituary, Gunnar, who was described as “kind, funny, and deeply caring,” had recently completed renovations on his first home in Forked River.

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He was also described as an avid outdoorsman who loved skiing, fishing, boating, running and hunting.

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“He found his greatest joy in spending time with those he loved—whether at home, on the beaches of Long Beach Island, on the ski slopes of Stratton, Vermont, or during family vacations in Maine. These moments together meant everything to him and will remain treasured by those who were fortunate enough to share them,” the obituary said.

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