Donald Jessamine is charged with vehicular homicide and aggravated manslaughter in the 2012 accident.
The trial of a Phillipsburg man charged in a deadly 2012 boating accident on the Delaware River is underway.
Jury selection began Tuesday morning in the case of Donald Jessamine, who is charged with second-degree vehicular homicide and first-degree aggravated manslaughter. Opening statements could be heard by the end of the week.
Authorities allege Jessamine drunkenly drove a jet boat June 23, 2012, into boulders in Harmony Township, sending him and his passengers, Lane Alden and Jerry Robbins, into the river.
The two men made it to shore. The 57-year-old Alden's body was recovered in Williams Township five days later. She died of blunt force trauma.
Jessamine faces 30 years in prison if convicted.
3 things to know as boat crash trial begins
On Tuesday, dozens of potential jurors were called into the Warren County Courthouse and asked a series of standard questions. Specific to this case, jurors were asked about their familiarity with the river and if they ever owned or operated a boat. Only a few had been dismissed as of 12:30 p.m.
In a discussion with Judge Bruce Jones, Warren County Prosecutor Richard Burke and defense attorney Michael Priarone said it's possible opening statements could be delivered as soon as Thursday.
The potential jurors were told the trial is expected run Mondays to Thursdays and last eight days, possibly as many as 15, not including jury selection and deliberations.
Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @type2supernovak. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.