Boat driver in fatal Lanier crash released on $50K bond

HALL COUNTY, Ga. — The man charged with killing two Gwinnett County brothers in a boat crash on Lake Lanier has bonded out of jail.

Paul Bennett was released from the Hall County Jail Monday afternoon after posting a $50,000 bond. He was arrested last week on a 13-count indictment, including first-degree homicide by vessel, boating under the influence and refusing to surrender aid.

The charges stem from a June boat crash on Lake Lanier that killed 9-year-old Jake Prince, and 13-year-old Griffin Prince.

Investigators said Bennett was drunk when he slammed his boat into the Prince family's pontoon boat, which was carrying 12 people. It took dive crews nine days to find Griffin's body.

Monday morning, Bennett waived his first court appearance in Hall County, but the district attorney told Channel 2's Aaron Diamant that his office reached a deal on bond with Bennett's lawyers. He said the amount is consistent with the charges and a judge signed the order Monday morning.

Bennett's attorney is out of the country and has not commented.

Members of the Prince family said it is still too soon to speak about the tragedy on camera.

Bennett is set to be arraigned on all charges in October.

WSBTV