“I ONLY HAD THREE BEERS” — GRANDPA’S CLAIM COLLIDES WITH A 0.16 BAC AFTER FATAL BOAT CRASH

BERKELEY TOWNSHIP, NEW JERSEY — What should have been a simple family evening on Barnegat Bay ended with two children dead, a grandfather facing homicide charges and a grieving family confronting an agonizing question: what happens when the person accused in the tragedy is also someone they still love?

Stephen Schneider, 64, has been charged with two counts of reckless vessel homicide after his boat crashed into a channel marker on July 19, killing his grandchildren, 9-year-old Mya Golabek and 7-year-old Sigmund Golabek.

According to court documents, Schneider told investigators that he had consumed three beers over about two hours during dinner with his family at MJ’s Restaurant in Bayville.

But prosecutors later revealed that a blood sample taken after the crash showed a 0.16% blood-alcohol concentration — twice New Jersey’s legal limit of 0.08%.

THE BOAT RIDE THAT ENDED IN TRAGEDY

The children had been at dinner with their parents and grandparents.

Afterward, Mya and Sigmund wanted to go home with their grandparents, according to the probable-cause affidavit.

They boarded Schneider’s approximately 28-foot Tidewater center-console boat and headed across Barnegat Bay.

Schneider told investigators he was traveling at about 20 mph when he saw a channel marker at the last moment.

The boat struck the marker.

The impact threw both children into the dark water.

Both were wearing life jackets.

Schneider and his wife immediately began searching for them and found the children face-down and unresponsive. CPR was started before the siblings were taken to a hospital, but neither survived.

THE BAC BECAME A CENTRAL ISSUE

Investigators said Schneider showed signs of impairment after the crash.

A blood sample obtained under a search warrant was later analyzed, with prosecutors citing a BAC of approximately 0.16%.

Experts cited in the affidavit concluded that alcohol had markedly impaired his alertness, judgment, perception, reaction time and coordination.

The prosecution argued that the level of impairment was particularly significant because Schneider chose to operate the boat with his grandchildren aboard.

Assistant Ocean County Prosecutor Kate Burke described the result as evidence of the degree of impairment involved and emphasized that two children lost their lives.

THEN CAME THE FAMILY’S EXTRAORDINARY REQUEST

Despite the devastating loss, the children’s parents asked the judge to release Schneider from custody.

During Wednesday’s detention hearing, Schneider’s attorney read a letter from the children’s father describing him as a loving grandfather and saying he had been there for the family in ways that words could not fully express.

The letter also expressed gratitude for the way Schneider had loved Mya and Sigmund and for the role he played in their lives.

It was a remarkable moment in an already heartbreaking case.

The family is mourning two children — while simultaneously asking the court to allow the man accused of causing their deaths to come home.

THE JUDGE RELEASED SCHNEIDER

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

He is prohibited from operating a boat or motor vehicle pending further evaluation and must comply with court conditions, including a substance-abuse evaluation.

His next court appearance is scheduled for September 15.

The defense has also indicated that it intends to examine issues including whether the channel marker was properly illuminated and to have Schneider’s blood-alcohol evidence independently reviewed. Authorities have said the marker was functioning properly at the time of the crash.

TWO CHILDREN. ONE FAMILY. QUESTIONS THAT MAY NEVER GO AWAY.

Mya was 9.

Sigmund was 7.

They were siblings, best friends and beloved grandchildren.

They wore life jackets.

They were surrounded by family.

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

Now the court will determine what responsibility Schneider bears for the crash.

But for the family, the legal case is only part of the story.

They are grieving two children while also standing behind a grandfather they still describe as loving and important to their family.

Three beers, prosecutors say, became a 0.16 BAC. A boat struck a channel marker. Two children were thrown into the darkness.

And now a family is left trying to reconcile love, grief and accountability after a tragedy that can never be undone. 💔

Stephen Schneider faces criminal charges and is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.