Man Crashes Boat into Group of Swimmers While Intoxicated, Leaving Girl, 10, Dead and Woman Injured
Quinten Knight, 40, was accused of driving a boat into a group of swimmers, leaving a 10-year-old girl dead and a woman in critical condition
The accident occurred on Aug. 2 on Harris Lake in North Carolina
The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission confirmed that Knight had been charged with Operating While Impaired and Death by Impaired BoatingA man is being charged with driving under the influence after allegedly crashing his boat, killing a 10-year-old girl and injuring a woman.
Quinten Knight, 40, is accused of driving into a group of swimmers on Harris Lake in Chatham County, N.C. He tragically collided with Jennifer Stehle and Brooklyn Mae Carroll, 10, while they were in the lake before 4:35 p.m., on Saturday, Aug. 2, according to WRAL News and CBS 17.
Carroll died as a result of injuries she sustained, and Jennifer was severely injured and airlifted to the hospital, where her leg was amputated above the knee, CBS 17 and ABC11 reported.
The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission confirmed in a statement sent to PEOPLE that Jennifer's right leg was also injured. However, surgeons "believed they have saved" it.
Her sister-in-law Kristie Stehle told WRAL News that she was in critical condition.
Carroll and Jennifer were reportedly not related, according to ABC11.
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Knight was 'under the influence of an impairing substance,' an arrest warrant and a N.C. Wildlife spokesperson said, per CBS17 and WRAL News.
The warrant added that he 'unintentionally caused the death of' the child, per CBS 17.
N.C. Wildlife Commission's Sgt Claude Smith told the outlet that Knight drove his girlfriend's Tiger Wake Boat into three swimmers. Officers then arrested him at the Cross Point Access Area.
The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission confirmed that Knight had been charged with Operating While Impaired and Death by Impaired Boating.
WRAL News reported that Knight has a pending hit-and-run charge from two years ago.
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'This was a heartbreaking accident, but one that was preventable,' Sheriff Mike Roberson said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE. 'Alcohol was a factor, and the decision to operate a boat while impaired had devastating consequences. We urge everyone to think twice before mixing alcohol with watercraft operation. It only takes a moment for lives to be changed forever.'
He continued, adding, 'We ask the public to keep the families and loved ones of those involved in your thoughts and prayers. We are also grateful to the deputies, first responders, and medical professionals who responded swiftly and courageously in an incredibly difficult situation.'
Jennifer's sister-in-law Kristie also released a statement to WRAL News.
"Please keep both families in your thoughts and prayers for strength as they try to cope and heal from this terrible tragedy, one that should've never happened,' she said. 'My family and friend did everything right, but because of a series of reckless and selfish decisions, both families are now left traumatized and forever changed.'
She added, 'This is a heartbreaking reminder that every choice we make can deeply affect the lives of others.'
'Please think before you act. Your decision, no matter how small they seem, can have life-altering consequences for good, loving, hardworking, Christian people who deserve peace, not pain,' Kirstie concluded.
A GoFundMe page created to help with Jennifer's medical costs has so far raised $13,094 out of a $35,000 goal.
'On August 2, 2025, tragedy struck when Jennifer Stehle, a wife, mother, and WCPSS school social worker, became one of the victims in a devastating accident at Harris Lake,' the description read. 'She sustained severe injuries and now faces a long and challenging road to recovery.'
They added, 'As Jennifer begins this difficult journey, her family—especially her husband, Justin—is doing everything they can to support her, but they need our help. The emotional and financial burden is immense, and any support will make a significant difference in her recovery process.'
Many boaters on Harris Lake expressed their thoughts following the tragic incident.
'Drinking and driving in a car is totally unacceptable but drinking on a boat is a totally different level,' boater Craig Schnier told CBS 17. 'Absolutely absurd it's hard to believe somebody can do something of that nature, boating is supposed to be fun, it's supposed to be about being with family and friends. It's just horrible to hear."
'You just have to make sure that you're always looking out — it doesn't matter what other people are doing — just make sure that you can see, especially if there's people wakeboarding or doing something else in the water,' boater Mark Macchioni added.
The investigation remains ongoing, and Knight is due in court on Sept. 22, per WRAL News.
PEOPLE contacted the Moncure Fire Department for comment.
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