A standout soccer star tragically died in a late-night boat crash after she and her friends allegedly took the vessel on a joyride without permission.
Elizabeth Dankert, 24, a former soccer player at Union College in New York, was killed in the crash late Wednesday night near Logan International Airport in Boston, officials said.
Authorities said Dankert suffered severe injuries in the crash and later died at Massachusetts General Hospital. Three others on board sustained less serious injuries.
The athlete had allegedly taken the boat without authorization from Boston’s Seaport District late at night, after the local boating club had closed.
Officials said the vessel was being operated by Lawrence Shieh, 40, with Dankert and two other women, both 23, on board.
The boat smashed into the Runway 4R pier, which launched all four passengers into the sharp and rocky shoreline, Boston Emergency Medical Services (EMS) said.
The fatal crash reportedly unfolded during ‘difficult conditions’ on the water, and authorities have launched an ongoing investigation into the tragedy.
The Freedom Boat Club said in a statement that it was ‘cooperating fully’ with the investigation, noting that the boat had been allegedly stolen by the group.
‘The vessel involved was taken without authorization and operated outside the knowledge and control of the Club, well after the Club had closed for the day,’ the club said.
Elizabeth Dankert, 24, a former star soccer player at Union College in New York, tragically died following a fatal crash late Wednesday night near Logan International Airport in Boston
Officials said the boat crashed in ‘difficult conditions’ on the water, and the occupants were thrown into jagged rocks when they crashed into a pier
Boston Emergency Medical Services said in a statement that the crash occurred during treacherous conditions on the water.
‘In difficult conditions, including darkness and slippery shoreline rocks, EMTs George May and Andrea Albano located the scene and began patient care,’ EMS said.
‘Working in close coordination with Massport Fire, crews carefully extricated four patients from the rocks.’
Dankert was raced to hospital, but succumbed to her injuries on Thursday morning.
Lee Gordon, a spokesperson for the Brunswick Corporation, which owns Freedom Boat Club, told the Boston Globe that the group had stolen the boat after-hours.
‘It was accessed without our knowledge by someone who was able to gain access to the marina,’ Gordon said.
‘But it was not someone who made a reservation as we were closed for the night.’
According to dispatch recordings cited by the Boston Globe, a caller initially told 911 that a separate boat ‘crashed into them’, and they said their ‘friend is bleeding out, not responding’ while the boat was ‘on top of them.’
However, emergency services said they did not find any evidence of a second boat, and said that ‘at this time, it does seem like this is a single vessel incident.’
Boston Emergency Medical Services said in a statement that the crash occurred during treacherous conditions on the water
Union College in New York said Dankert was a star player on its soccer team before her graduation in 2024
Union College in New York said Dankert was a star player on its soccer team before her graduation in 2024.
‘Lizzie was an exceptional student-athlete who had a tremendous impact during her four years at Union College. Her passing is a profound loss for our campus community,’ a university spokesperson said.
‘We offer our condolences to Lizzie’s family, classmates, teammates and all those who were lucky to know this terrific young woman.’
A spokesperson for Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden declined to say if anyone would face criminal charges in connection with the crash, and said the investigation is ongoing.
