A second individual has been apprehended following a tragic incident at Harris Lake where a girl was killed after being struck by a boat. On Tuesday, Annemarie Flanigan, the boat’s owner, was taken into custody and is currently held at Moore County Jail. She is the girlfriend of Quinten Kight, who was charged earlier in connection with the incident. Flanigan faces multiple charges, including felony death by impaired boating, serious injury via impaired boating, and aiding and abetting boating while impaired.
The unfortunate event occurred on Saturday afternoon when Kight’s boat allegedly collided with a group of swimmers, resulting in the death of 10-year-old Brooklyn Carroll, a fifth-grader from West Lake Elementary School in Cary. Another swimmer, Jennifer Stehle, suffered severe injuries, requiring amputation of her leg. First responders arrived on the scene shortly after the collision.
At the time of the crash, authorities discovered 39 empty beer cans aboard Kight’s vessel. He has been charged with driving while intoxicated and unintentional manslaughter. Kight has a prior DWI conviction from 2009 and faced a more recent hit-and-run charge earlier in 2023, leading to concerns about how past offenses affect one’s ability to operate watercraft.
In response to the incident, Chatham County Sheriff Mike Roberson emphasized the dangers of impaired boating, stating that this was a preventable accident. Community resources were made available to support families affected by the tragedy, showcasing a spirit of solidarity in a time of mourning.
Kight’s ex-wife, Michaela Trujillo, expressed disbelief and sadness over the incident, recalling their reconnected conversations about achieving a fresh start. Her sentiment reflects broader community shock at the event and the urgency for discussions on boating safety and the consequences of impaired operation.
Kenneth Marshall, whose own daughter fell victim to a similar tragedy, commended recent legislative changes, like Sheyenne’s Law, which escalated penalties for impaired boating resulting in fatalities. However, he advocates for stricter measures, proposing that individuals with DUI offenses should lose both driving and boating privileges.
As communities mourn Brooklyn Carroll’s untimely death, there is a collective hope for improvements in boating safety that could prevent such tragic incidents in the future. Authorities and families alike emphasize the critical need for awareness around the dangers of combining alcohol with watercraft operation to help safeguard lives moving forward.