Second Man Charged in Boating Mishap That Cost Teen Her Arm

A second person was arrested Wednesday in connection to a boating incident that cost a teenage woman her arm.

Alexander Williams has been charged with the destruction of evidence relating to an investigation into a Charlestown boating accident. He was arraigned Wednesday in Boston Municipal Court, the Suffolk County District Attorney said.

Officials say Williams, of Boston, mislead investigators assigned to the boating accident that resulted in a 19-year-old girl losing an arm. In doing so, Williams violated the state’s witness intimidation statute, as well as negligent operation of a boat and providing alcohol to minors.

Assistant District Attorney Nicole Rimar informed the court that Williams and others were onboard a 30-foot vessel known as “Naut Guilty,” including its owner, Benjamin Urbelis, when the incident took place on the evening of May 30.

The boat was said to be shut off and anchored when the 19-year-old woman was swimming in the waters nearby in the area of Spectacle Island. Rimar said Williams allegedly started the boat’s engine, steered it toward the woman, and amputated her arm with the boat’s propeller.

Williams was ordered held on $5,000 bail by Judge Catherine Byrne.

Urbelis was charged with causing serious bodily injury while operating a boat under the influence of alcohol and other offenses. He was held on $75,000 cash bail at his June 1 arraignment. His bail was later reduced to $10,000 while his control over the boat remained under investigation.

Further investigation into the incident manifested evidence which suggested Williams, along with Urbelis, had operated the boat and was involved with supplying alcohol to several females under the age of 21, who were also onboard the boat, prosecutors said.

Detectives obtained a search warrant for Williams’ phone as they believed it contained evidence directtly relating to the accident. Prior to turning over the phone though, Williams allegedly deleted all of its content. An examination revealed the phone’s entire contents had been erased.

Williams will next be in court on August 7.