Lawmakers push for stricter death-by-impaired-boating laws

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — There's a new push for tougher boating laws in honor of a local teen who died while knee-boarding on Lake Norman last summer.

Lawmakers want to pass tougher penalties this boating season for operators who fail to act responsibly.

"I wouldn't necessarily say the laws are lax but there's not enough teeth in them," state Rep. John Fraley said.

Wildlife officers told Channel 9 more than 20 people were killed on the water in North Carolina last year.

Sheyenne Marshall, 17, a Cox Mill High School senior, was knee-boarding on Lake Norman when she was struck and killed by a boater. Officers said the boat's operator, Keith Cerven, was drunk with a blood alcohol content of 0.14.

Cerven is facing an involuntary manslaughter charge, a Class F felony punishable by a maximum of 16 months in prison.

Lawmakers want to make penalties for the crime stricter.

"It is designed to try to stop people who are drinking excessively, that there are consequences for their actions," Fraley said.

Fraley and fellow Rep. Larry Pittman want to create Sheyenne's Law.

The law would make death by impaired boating a Class D felony punishable by a maximum of 17 years in prison.

The bill has a long way to go. It has to make its way through several committees before being taken up for a vote by the full House.

Cerven is due in court in May.

Read more top trending stories on wsoctv.com:

• Police find van in hit-and-run that killed 6-year-old; no arrests made
• Assistant principal accused of criminal sexual conduct with student
• Anson County authorities searching for escaped inmate
• Wife remembers retired trooper killed in Boone plane crash
• Man arrested for not returning 'Freddy Got Fingered' VHS to appear in court

Cox Media Group