A tragic Fourth of July boating accident in Texas left a new mother dead, and her brother-in-law and the other boat driver facing DUI charges.
Authorities in Willis, Texas, said 31-year-old Jerry McMeekin drowned after falling off the back of a boat on Lake Conroe when the boat operated by Kyle McMeekin collided with another vessel around 9 p.m. Thursday.
The second boat was being piloted by Shane Aniboli, 44.
Both McMeekin and Aniboli were charged with drunk driving. Neither could be reached for comment Saturday.
Police said Jerry McMeekin was not wearing a life jacket at the time of the accident.
Her body was discovered more than two hours after she fell overboard.
Three people followed her into the water but were unable to rescue Jerry, authorities said.
Jerry and Brandon McMeeken were married in Dallas in March 2021. In June, Jerry shared on Facebook her joy at being pregnant with her “rainbow baby,” a child born after a miscarriage and the death of a newborn.
She gave birth to her daughter in December, meaning she was only a few months old when her mother died.
“We’re never happy pulling people out of the water, especially on a holiday weekend when they’re supposed to be spending quality time with their families,” said Capt. Miguel Rosario with the Montgomery County Precinct 1 Constable’s Office. He spoke to a local reporter.
