Body Found In Great South Bay Near Site Of BWI Boat Crash

SAYVILLE, NY— The driver of a boat that crashed into a jetty in the Great South Bay in Sayville early Monday morning, throwing a man overboard who is still missing, admitted to drinking before the incident. A body which may be the missing passenger was recovered by searchers near the scene of the crash on Tuesday.

25-year-old Jack Benjamin of Farmingville appeared in court in Central Islip on Wednesday, where he was charged with boating while intoxicated (BWI.)

Benjamin originally refused to take a blood alcohol test after the crash, and police obtained a warrant hours later. The results are still pending.

26-year-old Nelson Matos of Farmingville remains officially missing. Matos is a childhood friend of Benjamin's, friends told various news sources. There are currently no charges associated with Matos' death.

Suffolk Police told Patch that the body found on Tuesday in the Great South Bay has not yet been identified.

Matos was not wearing a life jacket. Benjamin's statement to police said he drank "three White Claws." His family posted his $50,000 bail.

Benjamin's lawyer William Keahon told ABC News that "the only thing Jack and his family are thinking about is the young man and his family."