One Killed and Five Injured in Memorial Day Boat Crash in Barnegat Bay

Posted on: May 27, 2026

One person was killed and five were injured following a Memorial Day boat crash in Barnegat Bay. New Jersey State Police said the boat crashed into a channel marker near Long Beach Island in foggy conditions, and two people were ejected upon impact. 

One was airlifted to a trauma center in Atlantic City, where he later died of his injuries, and the other remains in critical condition at an area hospital. The other four occupants were treated for minor injuries.

Residents said visibility was especially bad around high tide that day, some describing hearing the crash and feeling vibrations from the impact. There has been no word on how fast the boat was traveling at the time of the crash.

Multiple agencies responded to the scene, including the New Jersey State Police Marine Unit, U.S. Coast Guard Station Barnegat Light, Beach Haven Volunteer First Aid Squad, Long Beach Township Police, Barnegat Light Volunteer First Aid Squad, and Surf City EMS.

Photos of the boat show extensive damage to the bow. Investigators relocated the damaged vessel on Tuesday morning as they work to determine the cause of the crash. No further details have been released. If you or a loved one has been injured in a crash, our skilled personal injury lawyers at Ellis Law provide exceptional legal guidance and support. To schedule a free consultation, call today at 732-308-0200 or contact us online. With offices in New Jersey and New York, we proudly serve clients throughout both states.