“WAS THE MARKER REALLY LIT?”: DEFENSE INVESTIGATES A CRITICAL DETAIL IN FATAL BARNEGAT BAY CRASH

A new question is emerging in the case against 64-year-old Stephen Schneider after the July 19 crash that killed his grandchildren, 9-year-old Mya Golabek and 7-year-old Sigmund “Siggy” Golabek.

Schneider’s defense is reportedly examining whether the Intracoastal Waterway Channel Marker No. 39 was properly illuminated on the night of the crash.

That could become an important issue as the case moves forward.

THE CRASH HAPPENED IN DARKNESS

According to the probable-cause affidavit, Schneider told investigators he was traveling at roughly 20 mph when he saw Channel Marker No. 39 at the last second.

His 28-foot Tidewater center-console boat struck the marker, throwing both children into the water.

Schneider said the children were sitting at the front of the boat and were wearing life jackets. He then searched for them and pulled them from the water.

The affidavit describes Marker No. 39 as a single-stanchion illuminated navigational aid.

Whether that light was functioning properly at the exact moment of the collision could therefore become an important factual question.

BUT THE DEFENSE STILL HAS A MUCH BIGGER OBSTACLE

Even if experts ultimately determine there was a problem with the marker’s lighting, that would not automatically eliminate the charges against Schneider.

Police allege he was operating the boat while impaired.

Court documents say Schneider told investigators he consumed two Guinness beers and a Miller Lite during roughly two hours at MJ’s Restaurant.

A later blood test reportedly showed a 0.16% BAC.

He has been charged with two counts of reckless vessel homicide, along with boating-under-the-influence and reckless-operation offenses.

THE LIFE JACKETS ARE ANOTHER KEY DETAIL

Schneider told investigators both children were wearing life jackets when the crash occurred.

The children were nevertheless found unresponsive in the water after being thrown from the boat.

That means investigators and attorneys are examining multiple factors — not simply whether the marker was visible.

How fast was the boat traveling?

Was the navigation light operating?

How impaired was the operator?

Were the children properly secured before impact?

And most importantly:

DID ANY ONE OF THESE FACTORS CHANGE WHAT THE OPERATOR SHOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SEE AND AVOID?

For now, the alleged lighting problem is a defense investigation, not an established finding.

The official records currently describe the marker as illuminated, while Schneider’s criminal case remains pending.

And whatever investigators ultimately determine about that light, nothing can change the devastating outcome:

Mya and Siggy were thrown into the dark water that night — and never came home.

Stephen Schneider has been charged and is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. Whether Channel Marker No. 39 was functioning properly at the time of the crash has not been established by the sources reviewed.