Greenwich Fatal Boating Case Closed

The Greenwich teen who was charged in connection with the 2014 fatal boating accident that killed a classmate was cleared of two charges that were lodged against her.

Prosecutors in Stamford on Wednesday declined to prosecute the two infraction charges which Greenwich Police issued last August against Elizabeth Lewis, in connection with her operation of a powerboat involved in the accident on August 2014 on Long Island Sound.

It was a sunny afternoon when the quartet of girlfriends — all students at Greenwich High School — motored out onto Long Island Sound aboard a 21-foot Wahoo powerboat for an afternoon of tubing. Lewis was at the helm when two of the girls became dislodged from the tube. When she turned the boat to retrieve her friends, the girls were struck by the boat propeller, fatally injuring Emily Fedorko.

Lewis pleaded guilty to a lesser charge, an infraction for failing to carry a floatable throw-cushion appropriate for the length of the boat, according to her attorney, Mark Sherman of Stamford. The plea was accepted by Judge Walter Flanagan who imposed a $35 fine.

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Lewis originally faced charges that included Violation of Boating Regulations, Requirements When Waterskiing - Insufficient and Rules Preventing Collision.

Sherman said that after a lengthy investigation, the final infraction disposition cleared Lewis of any operation-related charges. “While no one will ever be the same after this tragic accident, Elizabeth and her family are relieved to resolve this case with no criminal charges. They continue to express deep sympathy and compassion to all the families involved.”

Since the accident, Joseph and Pam Fedorko testified before the Connecticut state legislature in support of passage of the Emily’s bill that imposed stricter boating regulations and guidelines for teen boat operators.