FLORENCE – The Lauderdale County Grand Jury has indicted Ross “Trey” Wooten, of Georgia, on 2 counts of manslaughter in connection with the June 8th boating accident on Shoal Creek.
According to the indictment, the accident involved Wooten’s run-about and a cabin cruiser, operated by Mark McBryer, of Florence.
The charges are the result of the Grand Jury’s determination that the deaths of two persons, Lauren Cowart and her 5-year-old daughter Blakely, were caused by Wooten’s actions while operating his boat while “under the influence” at the time of the crash.
Both mother and daughter were killed instantly, according to Marine Police Investigator, Chad Dyer. According to the News Release, Wooten’s blood alcohol level was 0.121%. Wooten was seriously injured in the crash and was airlifted to Huntsville Hospital where he stayed for more than a week. His young son, who was also on the boat was not seriously injured.
The legal limit for blood alcohol of an operator of a boat in Alabama waters is 0.080%.
No charges have been filed against McBryer. His actions immediately following the accident will be taken up by a new Grand Jury that will be empaneled later this month.
This is a .pdf of the News Release, the toxicology report, and the Grand Jury indictment: