Everything we know about mom who died in July 4 boat collision as brother-in-law and friend charged

Tragedy struck a Texas family this July 4 after a mother who had recently given birth fell overboard after a drunken boat collision , drowning in the river.

Her body was pulled out of the waters hours later, ending a frantic search, and she was pronounced dead. The men operating the pontoons that collided were promptly arrested and charged with "boating while intoxicated."

Many questions about the incident remain unanswered as the authorities continue to investigate exactly what happened. Here's everything we know about Jerri MacMeekin and the harrowing incident that left her dead and her newborn without a mother.

READ MORE: Tragedy as new mom found floating in Texas river after July 4 boat party as brother-in-law charged

READ MORE: Chilling detail in mom’s death as she drowns in ‘drunken’ boat collision and brother-in-law charged

The incident

Jerri MacMeekin was out on a July 4 holiday boating excursion with her family when two pontoons, both operated by members of the family or family friends, collided, sending Jerri overboard.

It was reportedly Kyle Dean MacMeekin, 29, Jerri's brother-in-law, who was piloting the boat, while his friend, Shane Everett Anniboli, 44, was driving the other one. After Jerri's body was found hours later, floating in the river, both men were arrested and face charges of "boating while intoxicated."

Both were released on bail, with Kyle paying $3,000 to secure his release and Anniboli doling out $1,000. Both also reportedly jumped in the water in an attempt to look for her after the incident but were unsuccessful.

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The crash happened sometime in the evening, and hours later, at 11:30 p.m., Jerri's body was finally found, floating face-up in the river. It was pulled out by a team of rescue and recovery divers, and she was declared dead at the scene, it was reported.

"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," Montgomery County Precinct 1 Constable's Office Capt. Miguel Rosario said.

He added that Montgomery County Precinct 1 Marine Division, Texas Parks and Wildlife Game Wardens, the Montgomery County Hospital District, the North Montgomery Fire Department and the Conroe Fire Department all reached the site of the crash just minutes after receiving a distress call, sparking the hours-long search.

Montgomery County District Attorney Brett Ligon told the Houston Chronicle, "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." He added, "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."

The police added, "Constable Philip Cash expresses his deepest condolences to the family and friends of the victim and reminds everyone on Lake Conroe to utilize 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."

It was later revealed that a third person dove in an attempt to find Jerry, but they were also unsuccessful. The third woman was reportedly Kyle's girlfriend, who was later found by the police when they brought sonar devices to search the river for Jerri.

Who was Jerri?

Jerri MacMeekin married Brandon MacMeekin in January 2021. In a Facebook post around the time of the wedding, Brandon's brother, Kyle, wrote in the post, "Proud to have stood by my best friend and brother as he marries the woman of his dreams."

On Dec. 14, 2023, the couple welcomed their first child, Georgia Grace MacMeekin. She reportedly made a grand entrance into the family's life and weighed 8 pounds and 4 ounces.

Jerri herself wrote after the birth of her child, "Our momma finally got the daughter she has always wanted." In another, previous post announcing her pregnancy, the elated mother wrote, "Our hearts have never been more full, our smiles have never been bigger, we couldn't be more grateful for this precious gift!"

Jerri reportedly worked as a senior estimator and portfolio manager at Paragon Services & BKB Construction, which is based in Houston. But Jerri would sadly only live out her dreams of parenthood for seven months before her tragic death.