Sheriff: Alcohol A Factor In Midshipman's Fatal Skateboarding Accident

BERLIN, Md. (AP) -- The Worcester County Sheriff's Office says alcohol was a factor in the skateboarding accident that claimed the life of a 20-year-old Naval Academy midshipman.

Lt. Ed Schreier says Hans Loewen of Hampstead, N.C., was holding on to a Jeep while riding a skateboard on March 22 during a camping trip with other midshipmen at Assateague Island National Seashore.

Schreier says the Jeep was traveling about 15 mph when the skateboard and tire touched, throwing Loewen from the board and the tire ran over his head. He died Saturday while in a coma.

Schreier says alcohol is a factor in the incident but investigators are gathering more details. He says the driver of the Jeep had been drinking alcohol, but any decision on charges is up to prosecutors.