MOUNT PLEASANT — A fatal boating accident involving three Citadel cadets occurred on the night of April 25, resulting in one death and multiple injuries.
Evan Greenleigh, 19, and two fellow cadets were aboard a 1994 Key West motorboat near Shem Creek when the vessel collided with a dock around 11 p.m. The boat, which was 15 feet long with a 70-horsepower motor, was rated for four passengers, according to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
Greenleigh sustained severe injuries and was later pronounced dead from blunt-force trauma. Medical response was initiated by bystanders prior to the arrival of emergency services. All other occupants were transported to the Medical University of South Carolina for treatment of various injuries.
The driver, Edward Tavel III, 21, and two additional cadets, ages 18 and 19, reportedly had consumed alcohol. Witnesses stated that crowding in the front seating area impeded visibility, contributing to the crash. Although Tavel's blood test returned negative for alcohol, DNR attributed the accident to alcohol use and reckless operation.
Tavel was arrested on June 2 and is charged with involuntary manslaughter, which carries a potential five-year prison sentence. He has a prior history of watercraft violations, with citations filed against him in the past. The investigation is ongoing, and the case will be addressed in magistrate court.