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Galloway Township Man Charged With Aggravated Manslaughter In Death Of Woman Ejected From Moving Boat

MAYS LANDING, N.J. (AP) — A man has been charged with aggravated manslaughter in the death of a woman ejected from a moving boat and struck by the propeller 2 1/2 years ago off New Jersey.

Members of U.S. Marshals regional fugitive task force on Monday arrested 45-year-old Arthur Lesbirel of Galloway Township on the charge, the Atlantic County prosecutor's office said Tuesday.

Arthur Lesbirel
(Credit: Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office)

Prosecutors allege that he was operating the 18-foot Beachcraft "recklessly" in July 2019 in the Intercoastal Waterway in Galloway Township. He was earlier charged with boating under the influence.

Authorities have said that 39-year-old Iesha Thies of Mays Landing was ejected from the boat and sustained "major injuries" when she was struck by the propeller. She was pronounced dead at a hospital a short time later.

Another passenger was charged with allowing Lesbirel to operate the vessel under the influence.

Lesbirel is at the Atlantic County Justice Facility pending a detention hearing. It's unclear whether he has an attorney and numbers listed in his name were no longer in service Tuesday.

(©Copyright 2021 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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