Community Corner

Two Deaths, 13 BUIs on Georgia Lakes Over Holiday Weekend

The number of deaths and BUIs increased from 2012.

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources has compiled statistics on boating and other maritime incidents on state waterways during the 4th of July holiday weekend.

According to the DNR, between July 4 and July 7, there were two deaths and eight injuries reported over the weekend. One woman drowned on Lake Lanier and another man was killed after he was struck by a bass boat on Allatoona Lake.

The eight injuries stemmed from 10 boating incidents which occurred across the state over the holiday weekend. Statistics show that two incidents each were reported at Lake Hartwell, Clarks Hill Lake (or Lake Strom Thurmond), and on the St. Marys River. One incident was reported on Lake Burton, Lake Lanier, the Oconee River, and in southwest Georgia.

13 boaters were arrested and charged with boating under the influence. This year, the legal blood alcohol content for Georgia boaters was reduced to .08 to match the limit maintained on Georgia's roads.

Other than the lone fatality on Allatoona Lake Sunday, there were no other incidents of any kind on the lake during the holiday weekend.

During the 2012 4th of July weekend, the Department of Natural Resources recorded seven BUIs, three boating incidents with three injuries, and no drownings or boating-related deaths.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here