0.16% BAC REVEALED — GRANDPA’S “THREE BEERS” CLAIM NOW FACES A MAJOR QUESTION

For nearly a month after the deadly Barnegat Bay boat crash, investigators continued building their case against 64-year-old Stephen Schneider.

Now, one of the most important pieces of evidence has been made public:

SCHNEIDER’S BLOOD ALCOHOL LEVEL WAS REPORTEDLY 0.16%.

That figure was revealed during his August 19 detention hearing, where prosecutors argued that the level demonstrated significant impairment when Schneider allegedly operated the boat that crashed into a channel marker. New Jersey’s legal limit is 0.08%.

BUT SCHNEIDER HAD GIVEN POLICE A VERY DIFFERENT ACCOUNT

According to court documents, Schneider told investigators that he had consumed three beers over approximately two hours during the family dinner at MJ’s Restaurant before taking his grandchildren back by boat.

The crash happened later that night.

His 9-year-old granddaughter Mya Golabek and 7-year-old grandson Sigmund “Siggy” Golabek, both wearing life jackets, were thrown into the dark water after the boat struck a wooden channel marker.

Both children were later pronounced dead.

WHAT DOES THE 0.16% RESULT ACTUALLY ESTABLISH?

It establishes that prosecutors have evidence placing Schneider’s BAC at 0.16% after the crash.

It does not, by itself, establish exactly how many drinks he consumed or prove precisely what his BAC was at the moment of impact.

Those distinctions could become important as the case moves forward.

Schneider’s attorney has also said the defense intends to examine the circumstances surrounding the crash, including whether the channel marker was properly illuminated, and has indicated that the defense wants to scrutinize the BAC evidence.

AND THERE’S ANOTHER IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENT

Despite prosecutors arguing that Schneider should remain detained because of the seriousness of the allegations and his reported BAC, a judge granted him conditional release on August 19.

He was ordered not to operate a boat or motor vehicle while undergoing further evaluation. His next court appearance is scheduled for September 15.

THREE BEERS — ACCORDING TO HIS ACCOUNT.

0.16% BAC — ACCORDING TO THE PROSECUTION’S EVIDENCE.

TWO CHILDREN — NEVER COMING HOME.

The biggest unanswered questions now concern the exact circumstances surrounding the crash, the condition of the channel marker and how the toxicology evidence will be challenged or presented at trial.

And as of now, there is no verified public evidence of additional toxicological findings from that blood sample.