A man has tragically caused the death of his sister-in-law , who had just given birth, when his reckless boat driving, impaired by alcohol, led to her falling into the water and disappearing.
Jerri MacMeekin was discovered hours later, floating in a Texas river, after a nighttime boating party turned fatal . The woman's brother-in-law and his friend were arrested for 'boating while intoxicated'.
Her brother-in-law Kyle Dean MacMeekin, 29, and his friend Shane Everett Anniboli, 44, were taken into custody after her body was found.
Both men have since posted bail. They reportedly jumped into the water to search for her but were unsuccessful.
"We never enjoy pulling people out of the water, especially on a holiday weekend when you're supposed to be having fun, enjoying time with your family," said Montgomery County Precinct 1 Constable's Office Capt. Miguel Rosario.
The Montgomery County Precinct 1 Marine Division, assisted by Texas Parks and Wildlife Game Wardens, the Montgomery County Hospital District, the North Montgomery Fire Department, and the Conroe Fire Department, quickly arrived at the scene just minutes after receiving the distress call.
After "several long hours" of searching, Jerri MacMeekin's body was finally located and retrieved at 11.30 p. m. by a team of rescue and recovery divers. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Jerri is known to have held senior roles as an estimator and portfolio manager at Paragon Services and BKB Construction in Houston. She married Brandon MacMeekin, 32, in January 2021, and they recently welcomed a baby girl.
"Proud to have stood by my best friend and brother as he marries the woman of his dreams," Kyle MacMeekin, the brother involved in the tragic accident, shared on Facebook. On December 14, 2023, the couple announced the birth of their daughter, Georgia Grace MacMeekin, who weighed 8 lbs 4oz.
"Our momma finally got the daughter she has always wanted! " Jerri expressed after her child's birth. In another post announcing her pregnancy, Jerri wrote: "Our hearts have never been more full, our smiles have never been bigger, we couldn't be more grateful for this precious gift!"
Tragically, she would only get to be a mother to her baby girl for seven months. According to the Houston Chronicle, Montgomery County District Attorney Brett Ligon stated that Anniboli and Kyle MacMeekin were on separate boats, with the MacMeekins both on pontoon boats.
Mr. Ligon stated: "It appears what we have are two drivers charged with boating while intoxicated and a lady who lost her life in a mishap on the lake.
"This is the perils of being on a boat drinking all day, the perils of being on a crowded lake. These are the things we hope to avoid every summer when we are trying to let people know how deadly the roads and lakes are."
Records show that MacMeekin was released after posting a $3,000 bond, while Anniboli was freed on a $1,000 bond.
The police stated: "Constable Philip Cash expresses his deepest condolences to the family and friends of the victim and reminds everyone on Lake Conroe to utilise life safety equipment whenever you are on a boat or in the water. No matter your expertise in the water, personal floatation devices (PFD's or life jackets) save lives."
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