Man Charged In Boating Death Of Friend On Lake Hopatcong

JEFERSON, NJ — A 24-year-old man has been charged with death by vessel in connection to his friend's death, after allegedly boating while under the influence, Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp said on Thursday.

Nicholas Zarantonello, from Lake Hopatcong, was previously charged with boating under the influence. Officials say Zarantonello was drunk and/or high on Aug. 3, when Jason Gil, 24, went overboard and never resurfaced.

According to Knapp, Zarantonello was driving a pontoon boat with Gil and another friend as passengers. While the boat was moving, Gil went into the water, Knapp said. Officials have not said how Gil went overboard.

Gil's body was found two days later, on Aug. 5.

Friends and coworkers remembered Gil as a caring, helpful, and full of life, person, the kind of guy that was there for you when he needed him.

"What a sweet, full of life kid!! He never will be forgotten and sending love and prayers to the entire family and all his friends," a friend wrote on a GoFundMe established to offset funeral costs and "surrounding events."

Gil was also well liked and valued by his coworkers at Tri-County Orthopedics, where he worked after studying X-ray tech at the County College of Morris.

"Jason was a valued employee at TriCounty Ortho whose care and compassion touched many patients lives. He will be deeply missed by his friends and colleagues," orthopedist Dr. David Epstien wrote.