Incident location, Long Island
What Happened
A 24-year-old Massachusetts woman was killed and three others injured when an unauthorized boat crashed into a pier near Logan International Airport late Wednesday night. Elizabeth “Lizzie” Dankert of Andover died from fatal injuries sustained in the crash, according to WCVB.
The Suffolk County District Attorney’s office confirmed that Dankert and two female friends were in Boston’s Seaport District Wednesday evening when they boarded the boat with 40-year-old Lawrence Shieh, who was operating the vessel. The boat crashed into the pier, killing Dankert while the other three occupants sustained less serious injuries and were transported to Mass General Hospital, where they are expected to survive.
According to WCVB’s reporting, Freedom Boat Club, where the vessel was docked in Boston’s Seaport District, stated the boat “was taken without authorization and operated outside the knowledge and control of the Club, well after the Club had closed for the day.” The club said they are “cooperating fully with all relevant authorities.”
Dankert was a standout athlete who played soccer at Union College in New York and graduated from Central Catholic High School in Lawrence, Massachusetts. The crash occurred near Logan International Airport’s waterfront area, with emergency responders quickly arriving at the scene to transport the injured victims.
Investigation & Legal Proceedings
Massachusetts State Police are conducting the investigation into the fatal crash. Defense attorney Philip Tracy Jr., who previously worked with the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office for 10 years, told WCVB that investigators will likely focus on whether drugs or alcohol were involved in the incident.
“You need to interview the two other girls. Interview the driver of the boat and, from a police perspective and get gather either gather evidence or clear him,” Tracy said. He predicted that charges are likely given the fatality, stating “when there’s a fatality involved, there’s always going to be charges.”
Tracy noted that marine investigations often take significantly longer than automobile crashes, with weeks or even months potentially passing before any charges are filed. As of Friday, no charges have been announced and investigators have not released details about what led to the crash.
Broader Impact
The incident highlights the complexities of marine accident investigations compared to roadway crashes. Unlike vehicle accidents that can often be processed within days, boat crash investigations require specialized expertise and typically involve multiple agencies, leading to extended timelines before legal proceedings begin.