Community Mourns Death of 4 Family Members in Memorial Day Weekend Boat Crash

A coastal community in Savannah, Georgia, has been mourning the loss of four people from the same family during a Memorial Day weekend boat crash.

The Lefflers, Christopher David, 51, Lori Lynn, 50, Zachary James, 23, and Nathan, 17, were with a family friend, Robert Steven Chauncey, 37, when their boat collided with another boat at the Wilmington River on Saturday, May 28.

According to People, five more passengers were taken to the hospital following the crash, including the Leffler couple's daughter, Katie, and her friend. The family was spending time together for the Memorial Day holidays when the accident happened.

Game wardens from the Chatham County Marine Patrol, the Chatham Emergency Services, and the Savannah Fire Department searched for the bodies of the victims, which drifted some 14 feet from the boat crash site. The police also arrested Mark Stegall, 45, who was on the other boat with two other passengers. A spokesperson for the local police said that Stegall was under the influence of alcohol.

Read Also: Teenager Survives Traumatic Cardiac Arrest After Horse Kicked His Chest 

Leffler Dad was a Well-Loved Teacher

According to Fox 28 Savannah, Christopher was a history teacher and coach at the Calvary Day School, a private establishment in Savannah. Dr. Hunter Chadwick, the head of the school, described his colleague as someone who built a good relationship with his students and their parents.

His son was also attending the same school as a senior student. Chadwick described Nate as a quiet student who was well-liked by his schoolmates. He was a good brother to Katie and a loving son to his parents.

Calvary Day School has established a memorial fund for the Lefflers and has asked for continued prayers for Katie. Reports cited that the family was new to Savannah as Christopher previously taught at the King's Ridge Christian School in Alpharetta.

The Alpharetta community also mourned the deaths. Edward Spurka, who worked with Christopher, said he was heartbroken to learn of the crash. The school also plans to establish a support network for Katie and has provided grief counselors for the community who once knew the teacher.

Meanwhile, investigations will continue for at least eight weeks to determine the exact cause of the crash. Stegall has been in custody, but it's unclear how he will plead when he's arraigned in court. Stegall is a local restaurant owner and an avid boater.

Authorities Warned of Boat Accidents

Before the accident, authorities in Georgia warned the public to observe safety measures when boating for the Memorial Day Weekend after last year's accidents. Game wardens were told to observe zero-tolerance for boaters who may not follow the laws and put other people's lives in danger, per Fox 5 Atlanta.

The state's Department of Natural Resources said that there were 83 waterway deaths in Georgia in 2021, but these were supposed to be avoidable. Over 240 boaters were arrested last year for impaired or reckless driving. Officials said that many Georgie families lost beloved members in boat crashes during this annual holiday observance.

Related Article: 5 Swimming Safety Tips for Memorial Day Weekend