RICHLAND COUNTY, S.C. — The trial continues Thursday in the case of a 2019 boat crash that left one man dead and others severely injured.
Tracy Gordon is on trial, being prosecuted by the State of South Carolina regarding the crash on Lake Murray.
The court heard from officers of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) and Gordon's wife.
The morning started with more testimony from Lance Corporal Marion Baker with SCDNR, who provided information on field sobriety tests administered on Gordon.
"Totality of circumstances determined that his faculties were materially and crucially impaired. He was under the influence of alcohol," Baker said.
Lance Corporal Stephen Bryant with SCDNR testified that Gordon's breath and body smelled of alcohol when Bryant arrested him the night of the accident.
The defense countered that although the cooler contained nine Natural Light beers, Yeti cups and waters were found on the boat, and none of the beer cans were empty.
"In this cooler, there were no empty beer cans, right?" defense attorney Will DuBose asked.
"Not that I remember, no," SCDNR Investigator Tony Spires said.
"Not a single one? And nothing was taken off this boat?" DuBose asked.
Spires shook his head no.
Witnesses B.N. Trotter with the SC Highway Patrol and Susan Marvin with the FBI testified about the red and green lights on the hit pontoon boat. Both said their findings were inconclusive about whether or not these lights were on when the crash occurred.
Lastly, the defendant's wife, Angie Gordon, spoke about the night of the crash and said her husband was standing driving the boat and she was sitting. She testified that Morgan Kiser was yelling on the other boat.
"I was hysterical, crying in our boat 'cause I didn't actually know what happened, and then I could hear her just screaming and screaming and saying at the end her dad was dead, so it terrified me," Angie Gordon said.
The defendant's wife testified that her husband got his phone right after the collision and asked if anyone had called 911. Gordon testified that a woman said she was on the phone with them.
Stan Kiser was killed in the crash. Shawn Kiser lost her leg. Morgan Kiser sustained head injuries.
The court will resume Friday at 9:45 a.m.