Man charged in connection with fatal Chambers County boat crash identified

CHAMBERS COUNTY, Texas – Authorities have identified the man charged in connection with a boating accident that left three people dead and several.

According to the Chambers County Sheriff's Office, Jacob Vernon Breaux was arrested and charged with three counts of intoxication manslaughter and two counts of intoxication assault. 

His bonds for all five charges are a total of $200,000.

According to authorities, the crash was reported around 8 p.m. on Hugo Park Road near Old and Lost River and Cross Bayou, just north of Trinity Bay.

Officials said the crash occurred out in the bay, away from the boat docks. Firefighters and rescue crews had to use boats to reach the victims and bring them back to shore, authorities said.

Preliminary investigations revealed a large ski boat driven by Breaux struck a bass boat, killing two people and injuring nine others, authorities said.

The victims have been identified as Laura Kay Grant, 48, of Mont Belvieu, and William Robert Bowles, 36, of Baytown.

Officials said three of those who were injured were in critical condition and had to be transported via Life Flight.

Zachary Jackson Miles, 29 of Beach City, was among the critically injured and was taken to Memorial Hermann, where he later died.

At least six others are recovering from non-life-threatening injuries, according to the Chambers County Sheriff's Office.

Game wardens from Texas Parks and Wildlife are spearheading the investigation with assistance from the Chambers County Sheriff's Office.


About the Authors:

Daniela Sternitzky-Di Napoli has been a digital news editor at KPRC 2 since 2018. She is a published poet and has background in creative writing and journalism. Daniela has covered events like Hurricane Harvey and the Astros World Series win. In her spare time, Daniela is an avid reader and loves to spend time with her two miniature dachshunds.