Man Charged in April Lake Lanier Boat Collision

A Cumming man has been charged with homicide by vessel and boating under the influence in connection with a  officials with the Department of Natural Resources announced Monday.

In a press release, the DNR said that Steven Brent Parker, 32, of Cumming has been charged with four counts: homicide by vessel (felony), serious injury by vessel (felony), BUI and reckless operation of a vessel. Officials said conviction on both felony counts would carry a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison. These charges were filed following an investigation by DNR Wildlife Resources Division rangers, working with the Gwinnett County District Attorney’s Office. DNR officials said Parker turned himself in to Gwinnett County authorities on Sunday. He is currently out on $22,250 bond, according to jail records.

Another , has been charged with BUI in connection with the collision in June that killed two young boys, . That case is still under investigation and officials have said further charges could still follow.

It has taken several months since the April accident for DNR and Gwinnett officials to complete the investigation resulting in charges against Parker.

According to the DNR, Parker was operating a ski boat that collided with a pontoon boat before midnight April 21 near Buford Dam (Lower Overlook Park) on the Gwinnett side of Lanier.  Sharon Ezell of Milledgeville was also on it. Parker and his passenger, Ashley LeBlanc of Cumming, swam from their damaged boat to shore and flagged down a motorist. Jones’ body was located in the water by rescuers, and the pontoon boat with Ezell still aboard was found about five hours after the incident was reported. Ezell was taken in serious condition to an area hospital. Parker and LeBlanc were treated at a local hospital and released.

Col. Eddie Henderson, head of the agency’s Law Enforcement Section, said in the press release that the incident is “another reminder that although boating is a safe and enjoyable activity, it can turn tragic in a split-second if boating safety laws are not followed. We strongly encourage all boaters to designate a sober operator if alcohol will be consumed on the boat."

The initial response to the incident also involved Gwinnett County Fire, Gwinnett County Police, Forsyth County Fire and the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers. The DNR’s Critical Incident Reconstruction Team continues to investigate this and the incident that resulted in the death of the Prince brothers.  to increase patrols on Lake Lanier in the wave of these tragedies.