A Memorial Day evening on Barnegat Bay turned deadly when a boat slammed into an unlit marker, killing a young Barnegat man and leaving five more in critical condition.
Key facts
- Victim: Gunnar Pearson, 28, of Barnegat, NJ
- Crash location: Barnegat Bay off 63rd Street, Long Beach Township
- Time: Monday, May 25 at approximately 5:45 p.m.
- Cause: Boat struck an unlit day marker (nautical navigation aid)
- Total injured: 6 — 2 critical, 4 with minor injuries
- Investigation: Ongoing by NJ State Police
What happened
The final hours of Memorial Day weekend ended in tragedy on the waters of Barnegat Bay. At around 5:45 p.m. on Monday, a recreational boat carrying multiple passengers collided with a day marker — a standard nautical navigation aid that, in this case, was unlit — off 63rd Street in Long Beach Township, Ocean County.
Six people were injured in the crash. Gunnar Pearson, a 28-year-old resident of Barnegat, was rushed to a local hospital but could not be saved. He was pronounced dead from his injuries, according to the New Jersey State Police.
“Five people were listed in critical condition at a hospital on Monday night, while four others had minor injuries.” — NJ State Police
The victims
Along with Pearson, at least one other person remained hospitalized in critical condition as of Monday night. Four additional victims were treated for injuries described as minor. State police have not yet disclosed the identities or updated conditions of the other hospitalized individuals.
What is a day marker?
A day marker is a fixed navigational sign mounted in the water, typically on a piling or post, used to help boaters identify channels and hazards. Unlike buoys, they are not designed to be illuminated at night — which investigators may consider a factor in this late-afternoon collision as visibility conditions are examined.
What’s next
The New Jersey State Police confirmed the crash remains under active investigation. It has not yet been disclosed whether any tickets or criminal charges have been issued in connection with the incident. Authorities have not identified the boat operator or clarified how many people were aboard in total.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as investigators release more information.
