Body recovered from Long Island shore, presumed to be missing boat passenger

A body recovered from a shore in Suffolk County is believed to be that of a missing boat passenger who was involved in a Long Island jetty crash that occurred early Monday morning.  

Jack Benjamin, 25, of Farmingville, was operating the boat in the Great South Bay in Sayville around 1 a.m. Monday, when he crashed into a Long Island jetty, sending 26-year-old Nelson Matos flying overboard, according to Suffolk County police.  

Benjamin was arrested and charged with boating while intoxicated following the crash. 

According to police, Matos was not wearing a life jacket and was thrown overboard as a result of the crash. 

A body recovered from a shore in Suffolk County is believed to be that of a missing boat passenger who was involved in a Long Island jetty crash that occurred early Monday morning. Pictured in this photo, divers recover a body from the Great South Bay in Sayville on Tuesday

26-year-old Nelson Matos was presumed missing after a Long Island jetty crash sent him flying overboard. Pictured in this photo, divers recover a body from the Great South Bay in Sayville on Tuesday

Following the crash, Benjamin and a female passenger were transported to South Shore University Hospital in Bay Shore where they were treated and released.  

‘The boat all of a sudden stopped,’ Benjamin wrote in a statement to police while at hospital. ‘I fell onto my knees. Everyone was screaming. A short time later, the police and ambulance came. Everyone got off the boat. I couldn’t see Nelson. My sister yelled, ‘Where’s Nelson?” 

During his court appearance on Tuesday, Benjamin had slurred speech and was unsteady, according to prosecutors.   

He refused to submit to blood test at the hospital, and a warrant obtained for a blood test.

Results are pending.   

According to prosecutors, Benjamin told officers he had a few drinks and was driving everybody home the morning of the crash. 

Jack Benjamin, 25, of Farmingville, (pictured) was arrested and charged with boating while intoxicated following the crash in the Great South Bay in Sayville

Benjamin and Matos were in school together since kindergarten. His attorney said the only thing Benjamin is thinking about is Matos and his friend’s family

Benjamin’s license was suspended and he is being held until an arraignment that is scheduled for Tuesday 

Suffolk County Police officers, along with personnel from multiple fire departments and the United States Coast Guard, conducted a broad search for Matos’ body.

On Tuesday afternoon, a search team recovered a body near the jetty where the incident happened, but have not confirmed the body is Matos.      

The three additional passengers on boat were not hurt.   

Benjamin and Matteos were in school together since kindergarten. His attorney said the only thing Benjamin is thinking about is Matos and his friend’s family. 

His license was also suspended and he is being held until an arraignment that is scheduled for Tuesday.