AUSTIN -- Two people died Sunday morning after a boat crash on Lake Austin near Emma Long Park, according to Austin-Travis County EMS and police.
Houston resident Shawn Hurwitz, 50, and Jennifer Elizabeth Walley, 34, of Austin died in the crash, according to spokespeople from each family.
Police said Hurwitz was steering the boat with two women -- including Walley -- and two men aboard when the boat slammed into a steel barge at Emma Long Park shortly after 5 a.m. Police also said the boat was going 40 miles per hour at the time of the crash.
Hurwitz died in the crash. The Austin Fire Department rescued the others from the boat, and they were transported to University Medical Center-Brackenridge. APD said around 9:30 a.m. Walley died after being transported to the hospital. Three other people were hurt, and one is recovering from surgery.
The barge, according to police, supports heavy equipment while workers build a dock. The yellow lights on the barge were working when the crash occurred and crews worked to repair the damage Monday.
A family friend, J. Kent "Kenny" Friedman, said the ski boat is registered to Hurwitz, who was the CEO of a real estate investment company. Friedman released a statement on behalf of the family:
"Shawn Hurwitz's generous spirit and huge heart touched so many people over the years that this news will be devastating to people across the state and nation," the statement read in part. "We will share more information about the accident, services and remembrance as is appropriate and it becomes known to us. Please keep the Hurwitz family and the families of the others involved in the accident in your hearts and prayers in the days ahead."
"I woke up to a text -- I get alerts -- I read about a boating accident," said Hurwitz's friend Jill Sterkel. She first met Hurwitz and his wife at the University of Texas when they were students. Sterkel was Debbie Hurwitz's assistant swim coach. "You know anytime you see that, it's just awful; and [I] went about my day. I was at church, and on the way out of church I learned that I actually knew someone in it. It's just devastating."
A person related to Walley released a statement on behalf of the family Monday.
"... Mother, daughter, granddaughter, professional and friend to so many," the statement read in part. "Jennifer touched the lives of so many and pursued all of her roles with passion and energy that few, if any, could match."
Walley leaves behind a 3-year-old son and many loved ones.
When police arrived at the crash, the boat had already started to sink. Investigators said only one person was wearing a life jacket at the time. Marcus Davis with Austin police said a lack of light may have been a factor in the cause of the crash.
"They did not see what was in the water and this may have been prevented if it was daylight," Davis said.
Police have not discussed what led up to the accident, but Butch Vander-Woude, a campgoer at Emma Long said he saw the boat and heard the crash.
"He had his bow light on, music real loud, and he had the boat at full speed," he said.
The Emma Long Boat Ramp was closed on Sunday while authorities investigated the collision.
Friedman, the family's friend, said Hurwitz leaves behind a wife and two kids. Sterkel said Hurwitz's funeral won't be before Friday because that is his daughter's birthday.
"Shawn is just so full of life. He had a great smile and just a good person," Sterkel said. "Because I met Shawn through Debbie, to me it's Shawn and Debbie -- so I think that's going to be hard."
Police said this is an open, criminal investigation, but will likely not charge the driver of the boat since he is deceased. The morning of the crash, police received at least two 911 calls complaining of loud music and giggling coming from the boat.
Police are looking into alcohol and the speed of the ski boat as factors in the crash.
