Woman Dies In Galloway Boating Mishap; Driver Under Influence: PD

GALLOWAY, NJ — A Mays Landing woman died Sunday night after she was thrown off a boat and struck by its propellor, according to police. Arthur Lesbirel, the driver, was charged with boating under the influence, said State Trooper Charles Marchand.

Iesha Thies, 39, was pronounced dead at AtlantiCare Medical Center, Marchand said. Robert Pruchniki, who owns the 18-foot Beachcraft Center Console, was charged with allowing Lesbirel to drive the boat, according to authorities.

The incident took place near waterway marking area 177 in Galloway Township. Thies was taken to the Coast Guard Station of Atlantic City and then the AtlantiCare Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead.

Thies "lived everyday (sic) to the fullest," according to her obituary.

"She was a loving daughter, caring sister, wild cousin, giving aunt, cherished granddaughter, adoring niece, overwhelmingly kind, compassionate, loving and above all a TRUE friend and AMAZING Mother," her sister/cousin Elyssa wrote in the obituary.

""We will love and miss you forever!" Erin and Joe Hornikel wrote on the page dedicated to Thies's memory. "We will remember your infectious personality, your beautiful smile and your generous heart! We will cherish all of the wonderful memories we had with you. We will always love and take the best care of Gavin! Family Forever, RIP Iesha."

"We will miss that vibrant personality," Nicholas and Tiffany Thies wrote. "We will miss that loving heart. We will miss your love for life. We will miss you Iesha “Esh.” We will miss you forever. But I know your life will continue to shine through Gavin, my best bud. We will take good care of him."

Family and friends will begin to gather for Thies's funeral at 10 a.m. Saturday at the St. Paul Christian Methodist Episcopal Church in Egg Harbor City. Her funeral service begins at noon. A celebration of Thies's life starts at 2 p.m. at the Choice Bar and Grill in Atlantic City.

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