A boat operator faces boating under the influence charges after a 72-year-old man fell overboard Sunday and drowned in Bear Creek on Lake Jackson, authorities said.
Game wardens responded to the Newton County scene at about 2:30 a.m., according to the Georgia Department of National Resources.
“The subject fell overboard while riding on the gunwale of a Sea Hunt center console boat,” the department said in a news release. “The boat operator turned around to pick up the man but was unable to locate him. The operator then marked the location on GPS and called 911.”
When game wardens arrived, search efforts began immediately utilizing side scan sonar, according to the release. The man’s body was recovered about 10:30 a.m. by game wardens and the Covington dive team.
The victim was identified as Deppish Kirkland, 72, of Savannah.
The boat operator was arrested on BUI charges, the department said.
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