A 41-year-old man has been sentenced to up to 15 years in prison for killing a 10-year-old girl and severing another woman's leg when he plowed into them while operating a boat drunk on a North Carolina reservoir. Quinten Kight pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and impaired boating charges in connection with the August 2025 crash that killed Brooklyn Mae Carroll.
Background
The devastating crash occurred on Aug. 2, 2025, when Kight was operating a boat on the Shearon Harris Reservoir near Raleigh while severely intoxicated. Brooklyn and her friend had been tubing and playing on a rope swing during what was supposed to be a fun day on the water with their families. Jennifer Stehle, then 41, was swimming nearby with her daughter, who was Brooklyn's best friend.
According to civil lawsuits filed by both families against Kight and his girlfriend Annemarie Flanigan—who owned the boat—and eight other adults on the vessel, Kight and Flanigan had purchased between 80 and 100 cans of White Claw and other alcoholic beverages that morning before arriving at the lake around 11 a.m. By late afternoon, after hours of drinking, witnesses alleged it was 'obvious' to anyone on the boat that Kight was intoxicated.
Around 4:30 p.m., Kight was pulling two wakeboarders when one fell off. Rather than stopping, prosecutors allege Kight continued at a high rate of speed while looking back at the fallen riders, driving straight toward Brooklyn and Stehle in the water. The boat struck both swimmers with such force that the propeller broke.
The Investigation
Instead of immediately stopping to render aid, investigators allege Kight continued driving for another 150 yards before telling passengers to 'toss everything overboard.' When authorities responded, they found 39 empty alcohol cans in the boat and discovered an estimated 50 or more additional cans in the water. Officers noted Kight had 'red and glassy eyes,' slurred speech and a strong odor of alcohol.
More than five hours after the crash, authorities drew blood showing Kight's blood alcohol content was 0.17—more than twice the legal limit for boating in North Carolina. The lawsuit alleges Kight was the only person to drive the boat despite four passengers, including Flanigan, being sober and available to operate the vessel.
Flanigan has also been charged with second-degree murder and other offenses related to allegedly handing over control of the boat to an intoxicated driver.
Key Takeaways
- Kight received a sentence of between 12 years and just over 15 years after pleading guilty to second-degree murder and impaired boating charges
- Brooklyn Mae Carroll, 10, was killed; Jennifer Stehle suffered permanent injury including the loss of her leg
- Blood alcohol testing revealed Kight had a BAC of 0.17—more than twice the legal limit
- Investigators recovered 39 empty alcohol cans on the boat and found additional cans in the water
- Prosecutors allege Kight ordered evidence disposed of before stopping to help victims
- Co-defendant Annemarie Flanigan, who owned the vessel, remains charged with second-degree murder for allegedly allowing an intoxicated person to operate the boat
What's Next
Co-defendant Annemarie Flanigan's case remains pending. She faces charges including second-degree murder for allegedly permitting Kight to operate the boat while visibly intoxicated. No trial date has been set. Civil lawsuits filed by both families against Kight, Flanigan, and eight other adults on the vessel are expected to proceed separately from the criminal case.