HOT SPRINGS, Ark. — What began as a night of celebration on Lake Hamilton ended in tragedy for three families, including that of Andrew Eason, 36, of Mabelvale, who was one of three people killed in a boat collision late Sunday night.
Eason, a father of two and a beloved mechanic known as “Grandrew” to close friends and family, was one of nine people aboard a pontoon boat when it was struck by another vessel shortly after a fireworks show. The crash occurred around 11:08 p.m. near Little Goat Island, according to the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.
Three dead, three injured in Lake Hamilton weekend boat crash near fireworks celebration
Officials say the second boat was reportedly speeding and did not have its navigation lights on when it collided with the pontoon. Eason died on impact, his fiancée, Mariah Phillips, said.
“They were going parallel to the shore, and the other boat just went right over the top of them,” Phillips told reporters. “It hit exactly where Andrew was sitting.”…