Quinten Gregory Kight, 40, and his girlfriend, Annemarie Flanigan, 56, have been indicted for second-degree murder following a tragic boat crash that killed 10-year-old Brooklyn Mae Carroll and caused severe injuries to Jennifer Stehle, leading to the amputation of her left leg. The crash occurred on August 2 when Kight, who was allegedly drunk, crashed into a group of swimmers at Shearon Harris Reservoir in Chatham County.
Details of the Crash and Allegations Against Kight and Flanigan
Kight, the driver of the boat, crashed into the swimmers approximately 100 feet offshore. Brooklyn was killed in the crash, and Stehle, the mother of one of Brooklyn’s friends, suffered devastating injuries. While Flanigan was not driving the boat and was not intoxicated at the time, she is accused of being aware of Kight’s intoxication and of providing a misleading statement about her involvement. Prosecutors allege that Flanigan claimed she was unaware of the crash until she was called, which they believe was untrue.
Statements from the Victims’ Families
Brooklyn’s family issued a statement following the indictment, thanking law enforcement and the community for their support during their time of grief. “We miss Brooklyn more than words can express,” they said, expressing their continued efforts to celebrate her life. Stehle, who is beginning her long recovery, also shared gratitude for the support from the community, calling the kindness shown to her family “lifelines” during their difficult time.
Evidence Found on the Boat
During Kight’s first court appearance, District Attorney Jeff Nieman revealed that police found 39 beer cans on the boat, with additional evidence suggesting passengers were drinking heavily, including “shotgunning” beers. Kight was reportedly not looking ahead while driving but was distracted by people on the inner tube he was towing. Authorities also collected blood from Kight to test for alcohol content, although the results have not been publicly released.
Additional Legal Issues for Kight
In addition to the charges stemming from the crash, Kight faces a pending hit-and-run case in Moore County, North Carolina. He also has a previous DUI conviction from 2010 in New Mexico.
Court Dates and Family Tributes
Brooklyn’s family laid her to rest on Friday, honoring her as a light in every room she entered, with an infectious smile and loving heart. The defendants are scheduled to appear in court on August 20 for further proceedings.
