New Details Unveiled in Harris Lake Tragedy as Boat Owner Faces Court

Court Appearance and New Details Emerge in Boating Accident Case

AnneMarie Flanigan, the owner of a boat involved in a tragic accident on Harris Lake, made a court appearance on Wednesday. This marks the second person to be charged in connection with the incident that resulted in the death of 10-year-old Brooklyn Carroll and severe injuries to Jennifer Stehle, a Wake County school social worker.

Flanigan appeared before a judge in Chatham County, where new details about the case were revealed. It was disclosed that she was present on the boat during the time of the accident. Authorities stated that Flanigan was in a relationship with Quinten Kight, the man prosecutors allege was under the influence when he drove the boat into a group of swimmers.

Chatham County District Attorney Jeff Nieman highlighted that Kight’s first call from jail was to Flanigan, during which she expressed her intention to leave the state and move to Wisconsin. Prosecutors argued that this makes her a flight risk and requested that her bond remain at $500,000.

Flanigan’s court-appointed attorney, J.D. Xerri, claimed that she planned to travel to Wisconsin to attend her father’s funeral. However, Nieman pointed out that in the recorded phone call, Flanigan clearly stated her intent to move away from North Carolina. Xerri also emphasized that Flanigan is a former Army nurse who served four combat tours and remained at the scene to assist the victims after the accident occurred.

“She stayed with the victims to this case, rendering aid to the victims, triaging victims, she rendered aid to the victims in this case until EMS arrived,” Xerri said.

Nieman, however, argued that Flanigan gave investigators a misleading statement, claiming she did not witness the accident, despite several witnesses placing her on the boat. At least 10 people, including children, were aboard the boat at the time. Xerri suggested it was plausible that Flanigan did not see the event happen until after it had occurred, citing the crowd on the vessel.

“The one statement about what happened is patently false, your Honor,” Nieman told the judge. “And I say that not only because she admitted at one point herself, at one point she's on the boat, but statements from other people in the boat clearly place her on the boat.”

Authorities found nearly 90 empty alcohol containers either on the boat or outside of it. However, it was revealed in court that Flanigan was not under the influence at the time of the accident. Nieman stated that she was present for the purchase of the alcohol consumed on the boat and contributed to Kight’s reckless actions.

Judge Sherri Murrell maintained Flanigan’s secured bond at $500,000. Her next court date is scheduled for August 20. Murrell noted that it is hard to imagine that the boat’s owner could have been completely unaware of the driver’s activities over hours on the lake.

Flanigan faces charges of death while impaired boating and serious injury while impaired boating, as well as aiding and abetting. The first two charges are the same as those faced by Kight. Nieman explained that these charges are based on a North Carolina Supreme Court ruling called State v. Gibbs, which holds the owner of a vehicle liable if they knowingly allow someone to drive it while under the influence.

ABC11 learned that Kight was released from jail on bond in a 2023 hit-and-run case in Moore County. Nieman alleged that there was a precedent for Flanigan aiding Kight. He mentioned that Flanigan opened the door for investigators in December 2023 when they found Kight at home after allegedly hitting a motorcyclist with his truck and fleeing the scene.

ABC11 is The News & Observer's newsgathering partner.