“I ONLY HAD THREE BEERS” — GRANDPA RELEASED AFTER 0.16 BAC REVEALED IN CRASH THAT KILLED HIS TWO GRANDCHILDREN 💔🚤

BARNEGAT BAY, NEW JERSEY — A grieving family is facing an agonizing decision after the grandfather accused of causing a deadly boating crash that killed his two young grandchildren was released from jail.

Stephen Schneider, 64, appeared in an Ocean County courtroom Wednesday, where prosecutors revealed that his blood-alcohol concentration was allegedly 0.16 — twice New Jersey’s legal limit of 0.08.

The revelation came as Schneider’s attorney asked the judge to release him, citing the devastating impact the deaths have had on the family.

TWO CHILDREN NEVER MADE IT HOME

The tragedy happened on the night of July 19, after Schneider and his family had dinner at MJ’s Restaurant in Bayville.

His grandchildren, 9-year-old Mya Golabek and 7-year-old Sigmund Paul Golabek, later chose to ride with their grandparents aboard Schneider’s approximately 28-foot boat.

Around 9 p.m., the vessel struck a wooden channel marker in Barnegat Bay.

The impact threw both children into the dark water.

Although they were wearing life jackets, the siblings were found unconscious and face-down. Schneider and his wife pulled them from the water and attempted CPR, but both children later died at the hospital.

SCHNEIDER SAID HE DRANK THREE BEERS

According to prosecutors, Schneider told investigators that he had consumed three beers over approximately two hours during dinner.

But prosecutors said his later blood-alcohol measurement was approximately 0.16.

Assistant Ocean County Prosecutor Kate Burke argued that the level demonstrated the extent of Schneider’s alleged impairment.

“Two children lost their lives,” Burke argued in court.

Schneider faces two counts of reckless vessel homicide/death by vessel, along with charges related to operating a vessel under the influence and reckless operation.

THEN CAME AN UNEXPECTED PLEA

The defense presented a letter from the children’s father asking the judge to release Schneider.

The father described Schneider as a loving grandfather who had been deeply involved in the family’s life.

According to the letter, Schneider had been there for the family in ways that could not easily be put into words and had played an important role in his grandchildren’s lives.

His attorney emphasized that the children’s parents were grieving and wanted Schneider home with them.

That request created an extraordinary contradiction at the center of the case:

The man accused of causing the children’s deaths is also a man their parents still love.

DEFENSE QUESTIONS THE INVESTIGATION

Schneider’s attorney said the defense still intends to investigate several issues, including whether the channel marker was properly illuminated.

The defense also wants an independent expert to review the blood-alcohol evidence.

Authorities have previously said the marker’s lights were functioning properly at the time of the crash.

Schneider himself was injured in the crash and has been receiving medical treatment.

THE JUDGE GRANTED HIS RELEASE

Judge Wendel Daniels ultimately granted Schneider release from jail while the case proceeds.

His next court appearance is scheduled for September 15.

But freedom does not erase what happened that night.

Mya was 9.

Sigmund was 7.

They were siblings, best friends and beloved grandchildren.

They had life jackets on.

They were with family.

And yet, a nighttime boat ride ended with two children losing their lives.

Now the courts must determine what responsibility Schneider bears for the tragedy.

For the family, however, there is another reality that no courtroom can resolve:

They are grieving the loss of two children while simultaneously asking the court to spare the man accused of causing it.

The charges against Stephen Schneider are allegations. He is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.