HENRICO, Va. -- On Sunday, a Henrico man with many connections to the local community died in a boating accident in Westmoreland County.
Brian McCarty, 44, was thrown from his Neptune boat when it struck a pier at Monroe Creek in Colonial Beach, confirmed Laurie Naismith, spokeswoman with the Virginia Marine Resources Commission.
The accident occurred early Sunday morning, and McCarty’s body was recovered just before 5 p.m. later that same day, by officers from Charles City, Md.
Police continued a search Monday to see if there was anyone else on board, but no one else was found.
McCarty appeared to be traveling north at a “higher rate of speed” before impact, Naismith said. The incident remains under investigation by the Virginia Marine Police.
"Night boating is terryifying, because you lose all perception; you can not tell where there is a water inlet -- everything looks like land," said neighbor Jim Halsey, who believes the crash occurred while it was dark out.
McCarty was the manager at White Oak Equipment in Glen Allen, a branch of the Stafford-based White Oak Equipment founded in 1970 by his father.
His body was transported to the Medical Examiner’s Office in Richmond.
He is survived by his wife, a Capital One executive, and three children.
White Oak Equipment made a statement Tuesday on Facebook.
“It is with immeasurable grief that we mourn the loss of Brian McCarty. Brian’s simultaneous roles in the company were shareholder, branch leader, salesperson, fellow worker, relative, and friend. Outside of work, he was a loving husband and a wonderful father. And he filled each of those roles with his kind, gentle nature, and warm, affirming spirit. He will be greatly missed.
The preliminary arrangements are leaning to a service on Friday, June 10. If that proves true, all of the White Oak branches will be closed that day so that the White Oak team can grieve together at the service with his family and friends.
We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you. We were unable to come to another way for us all to adequately honor Brian.”
CBS 6 reached out to White Oak for a staff photo, but one was not available.
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McCarty's obituary hasposted online.
