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Last updated on Tuesday, June 24, 2014
(OHIO RIVER) - An investigation is underway after a boating accident resulted in the death of a teen.
Authorities were called to the scene of a water emergency around 6 Sunday night where a teen had been cut by a boat propeller.
According to investigators, 19-year-old Garrett Ward, along with some friends, had boated Sunday afternoon to an area of the Ohio River known as the "French Islands."
Shortly before 6 p.m., investigators say the group decided to leave the island.
As the boat, driven by 22-year-old Christopher Payne, also from Boonville, began to back away from the island, Ward became entangled in the motor's propeller causing severe injuries.
Ward was taken to the beach, but the Sheriff's Office says he had died of his injuries by the time help arrived.
An autopsy is scheduled to be conducted Monday by the Daviess County, KY Coroner.
Investigators say alcohol was determined to be a factor in the incident.
Authorities say Payne was taken to the Spencer County Sheriff's Office and has been charged with "Boating While Intoxicated Causing Death".
The accident is still under investigation.
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