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The Mastic Beach man who allegedly crashed a boat into a jetty in the Shinnecock Canal over Memorial Day weekend — critically injuring his bride-to-be and putting his two young children at risk — has now been indicted on multiple felony charges, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney announced Thursday.
Edward Hillkewicz, 28, faces charges that include second-degree assault and operating a vessel while intoxicated with a child under 15, in connection to the tragic May 25 crash near Meschutt Park in Hampton Bays.
“This case demonstrates [that] boating while intoxicated is every bit as dangerous as driving while intoxicated,” Tierney said. “My office will continue to work alongside our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to enforce maritime laws and prosecute violators.”
Authorities said Hillkewicz had been drinking in Greenport before boating back across Peconic Bay in a 33-foot vessel. About 8:40 p.m., he allegedly struck a jetty in front of Meschutt Park, causing the boat to slam into the canal wall, ricochet into another part of the jetty, and ground on the sand nearby.
Hillkewicz’s fiancée Brooke Skrocki, 28, of Mastic Beach, who was on board with two other adults and the couple’s 2- and 6-year-old children, was airlifted to Stony Brook University Hospital. She has since undergone two spinal surgeries and remains under extensive rehabilitation care. Currently, she has limited movement from the waist down.
The other passengers were not seriously injured.
Hillkewicz was arraigned Wednesday in Suffolk County Court on the following charges:
- Second-degree assault
- Second-degree vehicular assault
- Two counts of operating a vessel while intoxicated with a passenger less than 15
- Two counts of operating a vessel while intoxicated
- Two counts of endangering the welfare of a child
- Reckless endangerment
- Reckless operation of a vessel
Hillkewicz was placed on supervised release and had his vessel license suspended while the case proceeds. He is due back in court on Sept. 4 and faces up to seven years in prison if convicted of the top count.
In the days following the crash, a GoFundMe page was launched to support the injured woman and her family. The effort has raised more than $35,000 through 475 donations.
The couple had planned to marry Sept. 20 on Fire Island, according to their Zola wedding page. The wedding was expected to take place in Ocean Beach.
Top photo: Brooke Skrocki and her fiancé Edward Hillkewicz (Facebook).
