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

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, was 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 NJ 101.5 .

COLLEGE STUDENT'S FATAL CANOE TRIP TAKES TURN AFTER LONE SURVIVOR IS ARRESTED MONTHS LATER Gunnar Pearson was rushed to a hospital and later died.

Four others were hospitalized with minor injuries.

Pearson voluntarily surrendered at the New Jersey State Police Troop C Tuckerton Station Wednesday, Aug.

19, state police said.

FOLLOW US ON X 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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NEWS Pearson is being held at the Ocean County Jail.

GET BREAKING NEWS ALERTS 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.

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