SYLVAN BEACH -- The Oneida County Sheriff's Office says it has concluded its investigation into the deaths of three family members in a boating crash on Oneida Lake nearly two weeks ago.
According to the sheriff's office, 66-year-old Anthony Aceto of Utica, 41-year-old Stephen Aceto of Tampa, Florida and 33-year-old Timothy Aceto of Deerfield died on the night of July 5 when their boat crashed into a concrete channel marker about five miles from Sylvan Beach. 39-year-old Anthony J. Aceto of Whitesboro was rescued by another boater and a fisherman and survived.
Police say Timothy Aceto was driving the boat at an unsafe speed when he was distracted by fireworks and did not see the buoy in the dark. The father and three brothers had spent the day boating on the lake celebrating Stephen Aceto's recent engagement.
According to the police report, none of the three deceased were wearing life jackets, and the cause of death of all three is asphyxiation due to drowning.
The boat sank in 15 feet of water and was removed the next day.
