Fatal Boat Crash Suspect Charged With Manslaughter In Anne Arundel County: Report

SHADY SIDE, MD — The suspect in a fatal boat crash was charged recently in Anne Arundel County, reports said.

WJZ reported Sunday that officials charged Shayne Kenneth Smith in last summer's boating death of Nick Barton.

Barton, 21, was a Crofton native and a lacrosse player at Anne Arundel Community College.

Documents accused Smith of consuming drugs and alcohol before the crash near Shady Side, WJZ said.

Court records show that Smith, 21, faces three felony and seven misdemeanor charges. The Churchton man is up against charges like negligent manslaughter, negligent boat homicide while under the influence and operating a vessel while under the influence.

The Crash

The wreck happened on June 4, 2022 in the West River. A white center console boat hit a channel piling near Parish Creek around 6 p.m., the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Police said.

Authorities said the collision caused all six occupants to fall into the water.

One boater, later identified as Barton, did not resurface. Divers and officers searched the area and eventually found Barton dead in the water, police said.

The collision is still under investigation.

The U.S. Coast Guard, the Anne Arundel County Fire Department and the Maryland State Police were also on the scene.

“Our hearts are broken over the passing of Nick Barton,” AACC Athletic Director Duane Herr said last June in a press release. “Nick was a bright spot within the Riverhawk Athletics community who left a lasting impression on everyone he met. It was a privilege watching him grow and flourish over the last three years. Our sincere condolences go to his family, friends, teammates and coaches.”

AACC Career

After graduating from South River High School, Barton played three seasons for the Riverhawks.

Barton played in 29 career games, tallying 39 goals and nine assists. Barton scored a career-high six goals against Jefferson Community College on March 8, 2020. He played in 12 games last year, posting a pair of hat tricks on the season.

“On behalf of the entire college, I want to extend condolences to his family, friends and all of the Riverhawk community,” AACC President Dawn Lindsay said in the release.

The midfielder was also a Dean’s List student. He twice made the AACC Athletic Director’s Honor Roll.

“Nick was a great player, but that’s not what’s important,” Men’s Lacrosse Head Coach Joe Stanilaus said in the release. “In the three years that I was blessed to know him, he made huge strides in the classroom. Nick made everyone around him better, myself included. I am so grateful our paths crossed. We will forever miss his presence, but will never forget the leader he was becoming.”

Related:

• Shady Side Boat Crash Victim Identified As AACC Lacrosse Player: DNR
• Shady Side Boat Crash Leaves 1 Dead, 1 Hospitalized: Report