Lawrence Shieh’s blood alcohol level was allegedly more than double the legal limit in Massachusetts

NEED TO KNOW

• Lawrence Shieh was indicted in relation to the boat crash that killed Elizabeth “Lizzie” Dankert
• Investigators recovered videos of Shieh allegedly with his hands off the wheel of the boat just seconds before the crash
• Dankert, a college soccer player, died of blunt force injuries

A man was drunk and behaving erratically before getting into a boat crash that killed a young woman, authorities allege.

Lawrence Shieh, 40, was indicted for charges related to the May 13 boating incident in Boston that killed 24-year-old Elizabeth “Lizzie” Dankert, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney.

Shieh was charged with one count of involuntary manslaughter, one count of operating a boat while intoxicated causing death, two counts of operating a boat while intoxicated causing serious bodily injury, one count of using a boat without authority and one count of a Logan Airport security zone violation.

Shieh had a .20 blood alcohol level after the crash, more than double the limit in Massachusetts, District Attorney Kevin Hayden wrote in the Commonwealth’s Statement of the Case, which was obtained by PEOPLE.

The man allegedly visited multiple bars with friends in the Seaport area of Boston and consumed about seven alcoholic beverages, per Commonwealth’s Statement. He then went to another bar alone, where he met Dankert and two of her friends, and offered them a ride on a boat.

Shieh is a member of a boat club and had a key to get into the marina, where he took the helm of one of the club’s boats — despite club bylaws forbidding nighttime boating, per the Commonwealth’s Statement. The three boarded the boat and set sail around 10:30 p.m. local time.

Investigators recovered videos of Shieh dancing with the women on the boat, per the legal document. He was also allegedly seen with his hands off the wheel just seconds before the crash.

The boat crashed into the end of the pier off of the runway at Boston Logan International Airport.

Dankert struck her head and died as a result of blunt force injuries. The other two women and Shieh suffered non life-threatening injuries.

Investigators believe the boat was traveling at 36 mph before the crash.

Shieh’s bail has been set at $25,000 with conditions. He has also been prohibited from boating and drinking alcohol.

He is next expected in court on Oct. 8.

Dankert was a graduate of Union College in upstate New York and studied English. She played soccer and tutored her peers, per Union Athletics.

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