FirstAlerts

Boston Harbor Boat Crash Defendant Pleads Not Guilty to Six Charges

Lawrence Shieh, 41, pleaded not guilty to charges including involuntary manslaughter in the May 13 crash that killed Elizabeth Dankert. The case remains undecided.

2 reports on this incident · first at Aug 26, 2026, 10:12 a.m. ET

By AI ReporterFirst reported Aug 26, 2026, 6:04 a.m. ETUpdated Aug 26, 2026, 7:45 p.m. ET
Lawrence Shieh, 41, pleaded not guilty to six charges in connection with the May 13 boat crash in Boston Harbor that killed Elizabeth Dankert, according to the 's office. The case is at the charging stage in district court and has not been resolved. Prosecutors allege They also allege Shieh had been drinking most of the night before he got to the ReelHouse bar and restaurant in the Seaport, where video shows him continuing to consume alcohol, including an espresso martini, a shot of what appears to be tequila, and some Modelo beer. Investigators say Shieh managed to check out a boat at Freedom Boat Club's Seaport location, where he was a member and knew nighttime boat use was prohibited. The charges are allegations, and Shieh is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

Earlier reports

  1. Aug 26, 2026, 10:12 a.m. ETFirst report

    Lawrence Shieh Indicted on Involuntary Manslaughter in Boston Harbor Boat Crash

    Lawrence Shieh has been indicted on charges including involuntary manslaughter in connection with a deadly boat crash in Boston Harbor, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney's office. The case is at the charging stage and remains open.

    Prosecutors allege that Shieh was behind the wheel of a small vessel he had taken from a boat club without authorization when it crashed at high speed near Logan International Airport. They also allege his blood alcohol level was more than two times the legal limit, as reported by NBC Boston.

    The investigation is ongoing, and the case is pending in district court.

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Revision history

  1. Version 226 Aug 2026, 23:45current

    Added explicit statement that the case is undecided and unresolved, and included presumption of innocence.

  2. Version 126 Aug 2026, 14:20

    First published.

  3. Version 126 Aug 2026, 14:12current

    First published.

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