Photo: PAUL BUCKOWSKI
The boat that was struck by another boat on Lake George last night is brought to the Warren County Sheriff's office on Tuesday, July 26, 2016, in Queensbury, N.Y. (Paul Buckowski / Times Union)
Sheriff says drugs involved in fatal Lake George boat crash
More charges possible depending on quantities
By Wendy Liberatore
Updated 7:04 am, Wednesday, August 24, 2016
Lake George, NY
The driver of the boat that struck and killed an 8-year-old girl on Lake George, a hit-and-run crash captured on video, had three separate classes of drugs in his system, said Warren County Sheriff Bud York.
Alexander M. West, 24, of Lake George had two prescription drugs and one illegal drug in his blood, York said Tuesday.
The toxicology test makes the prosecution's case much stronger, the sheriff said, but he would not say what the drugs were. He did say that depending on the quantity, which has yet to be determined, more charges could be brought against West.
West was charged with two counts of leaving the scene of the crash, which killed Charlotte McCue of Carlsbad, Calif., who was vacationing with her family in Lake George. The crash injured her mother.
Four passengers in his boat face charges related to hindering the investigation and giving false statements. York said investigators are looking into whether West's parents shielded him from police during the early hours of the probe.
No alcohol was found in the blood of either West or the driver of the boat that McCue and her family, including her father and grandparents, were on.
While no alcohol was found in West's blood, York said witnesses said they saw West drinking on July 29, the day of the accident.
The alcohol test was not administered until 14 hours after the accident when West's parents brought him to police.
York said alcohol could easily dissipate by then.
The crash occurred during Log Bay Days, an annual gathering of young partiers on the east side of the lake. West was at the gathering, York said.
"There has been a public outcry to get rid of it," said York. "It has no redeeming quality for the public. It's a party for the youth." Others have come forward with more video of the crash, York said. The sheriff said he would like to release the original video, which shows the crash clearly, but District Attorney Kate Hogan said no. York said his office will release a report of the accident reconstruction when it is completed, York said