CORPUS CHRISTI, Tx — A boating accident in the Laguna Madre killed a well-known Padre Island resident on Monday.
According to Corpus Christi Assistant Fire Chief Billy Belyue, the accident occurred around 2:26 p.m. on Monday, May 20.
A spokesman from the Coast Guard said the boat had hit a sandbar and went into shallow water. One person, 73-year-old Steven Chaney, was killed and 61-year-old James Byma was injured.
Members from the Coast Guard Station Port Aransas, Texas Game Warden and Corpus Christi Fire Department all responded to the accident.
The victim of the accident, Steven Chaney, was a very well known member of the Padre Island community. He was a member of the Padre Island Yacht Club and he was a boat captain for the annual December La Posada lighted boat parade for several years.
“You know, with his cheerfulness and humor and friendliness, he just attracted more and more people into the parade. And he’ll really be missed. The La Posada community is, we’re heartbroken for the loss of Steve. It’s just a shock right now," Bob Corbett, the boat captains coordinator for La Posada said.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Game Wardens are still investigating exactly what led to the accident on Monday.
“Yesterday, whenever we arrived, unfortunately, it was a fatality. One person did pass away. We had another person who had non-life-threatening injuries that was transported to Bay Area. It was a single vessel accident," TPWD Game Warden Captain Ben Baker said.
The loss of Steve Chaney will be felt heavily by the Padre Island community.
“Steve just knows so many people on this island, and it’s just unbelievable. You know, he’s just that kind of guy," Corbett said.
Chaney was an experienced boater and a former member of the Coast Guard. Texas Parks and Wildlife reminds people that even the most experienced boaters are not safe from the dangers of the water.
"We urge the boaters to not take that experience for granted," Captain Baker said. "That is a valuable experience, but remember to obey these basic and adhere to these basic water safety laws. “Everybody needs to be safe out there. And be kind and be cognizant of other boaters and just have friendly waterways out there and watch out for each other."
The accident is still under investigation by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Game Wardens.
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