A Bowdoinham man has been charged with operating a watercraft under the influence as a result of a boating accident in the early-morning hours of Oct. 30 that left two women seriously injured.
Authorities say Douglas Stevenson, 44, was driving a 29-foot Four Winns powerboat heading north in the Kennebec River when the boat ran aground near the south end of Swan Island.
The Maine Marine Patrol said the initial investigation shows the boat was going at a high rate of speed.
Two passengers, Krista Hurst, 41, of Birmingham, Michigan, and Lesia Tatarsky, 37, of Warren, Michigan, suffered serious but not life-threatening injuries, according to Marine Patrol Officer Clint Thompson.
Thompson responded to the crash just after midnight.
The trio were rescued by the Dresden Fire Department, paramedics from Gardiner Fire Department and Sagadahoc County Sheriff Cpl. Ian Alexander. The two women were taken to Mid Coast Hospital in Brunswick by Gardiner Rescue.
Stevenson was taken to Richmond Police Department where he was issued a summons for operating a watercraft under the influence.
Stevenson’s blood-alcohol level several hours after the accident was .16, which is double the legal limit. Boating under the influence is a criminal violation in Maine punishable by a fine and imprisonment.
The investigation into the accident continues.
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