ORANGE COUNTY, Texas — A tragic boating accident on the Sabine River has claimed the life of 37-year-old David Mitchell Besser of Pearland, Texas. The collision occurred Tuesday evening when a 25-foot bay boat struck a moving commercial barge in the Sabine River/Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, between Cow Bayou and Adams Bayou.
Justice of the Peace Chad Jenkins confirmed Besser’s identity and stated that an autopsy has been ordered to determine the official cause of death. Authorities pronounced Besser dead at the scene.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office first contacted Texas Parks and Wildlife Game Wardens around 6:30 p.m. Tuesday to report the crash. A multi-agency response followed, including the U.S. Coast Guard, which has now taken the lead in the investigation due to the involvement of a commercial vessel.
Emergency personnel arriving at the scene found that the bay boat had collided with the bow of the barge under unclear circumstances. It is not yet known whether others were aboard the recreational boat or if any barge crew members sustained injuries.
Officials are now reviewing key factors such as vessel speed, visibility, navigation signals, and waterway conditions. The Coast Guard is expected to provide further details as their investigation develops.
Capt. Ryan Hall of Texas Parks and Wildlife confirmed the coordinated response and emphasized ongoing efforts to piece together how the collision occurred.
David Mitchell Besser is remembered by loved ones as someone with a deep passion for life on the water. His death is a sobering reminder of the dangers that exist in shared waterways where commercial and recreational traffic intersect.
Boating authorities are urging caution, awareness, and adherence to maritime safety rules to help prevent similar tragedies in the future.
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