On August 24, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., in the Chatham County Justice Center in Pittsboro, North Carolina, defendant Quinten Kight, appeared before Superior Court Judge Allen Baddour for sentencing. Kight pleaded guilty to Second-Degree Murder (Class B2 Felony), Felony Boating While Impaired involving Serious Injury (Class F Felony), Felony Boating While Impaired Resulting in Death (Class D Felony), Careless and Reckless Operation of a Motorboat (Class 2 Misdemeanor) and Boating While Impaired (Class 2 Misdemeanor) for the death of 10‑year‑old Brooklyn Carroll and the injuries suffered by Mrs. Jenifer Stehle.
Judge Baddour imposed the following active sentences:
- 144–185 months for Second-Degree Murder
- 19–35 months for Felony Boating While Impaired involving Serious Injury
Upon completion of his active sentence, Kight will be placed on 24 months of supervised probation, during which he is prohibited from operating any boat, watercraft, or motor vehicle.
The case was presented by District Attorney Jeff Nieman. Jenifer Stehle and Brooklyn Carroll’s parents Kim Cannon and Matt Carroll delivered victim impact statements during the hearing. Officer Jacob Pattison, the lead investigator, attended the proceedings along with several other Wildlife Officers and Mrs. Ollie Jeffers with Mothers Against Drunk Driving
“This case has deeply impacted our community and our officers,” said Pattison. “The preventable tragedy is a reminder of how someone’s actions can have lasting effects. It highlights the importance of having a sober driver on and off the water. I’m confident that because of the courage of the families involved, this case will have a direct impact on impaired driving deterrence on our state’s waterways.”
“This incident was preventable,” said LE Public Information Officer Lieutenant Anna Barbosa. “Our agency’s Law Enforcement Division is tireless in using all the tools available to prevent people from operating vessels while impaired, including education, patrol, enforcement, and proactive outreach programs such as On the Road/On the Water and Operation Dry Water.”
In 2015, a similar boating tragedy on Lake Norman led to the enactment of Sheyenne’s Law, which elevated the crime of Boating While Impaired from a misdemeanor to a felony. In the originating case, prior to the passage of Sheyenne’s Law, the defendant received 30 months of probation with no jail time. This landmark change continues to strengthen North Carolina’s commitment to preventing impaired boating and ensuring safer waterways for everyone.
In August 2023, the first judgment of conviction of death by impaired boating was rendered in Brunswick County when Matthew Ferster pleaded guilty to three counts of death by impaired boating. He was sentenced to 9 1/2 to 18 1/2 years in prison.