Fiancee of Indian-American killed in NY boat accident, refuses to accept fact

New York, July 6 (ANI): The distraught fiancee of the young Indian American physiotherapist, Jijo Puthuvamkunnath, is in a shocked state of mind and is refusing to accept that her betrothed was killed in a boating accident in New York Harbour.

"She can't accept it. He was supposed to be here for a barbecue yesterday. She can't believe he is dead," said family friend Alice Joseph.

According to the New York Post, the 30-year-old man was celebrating with friends on a small boat near the Statue of Liberty on July 2, afternoon when they were hit by a 30-foot Pro-Line craft piloted by Richard Aquilone.

Twenty seven-year-old Sissy Chacko, who was supposed to marry Puthuvamkunnath on August 28, remained locked in a room at her Long Island home, two days after the news of her fiancée's death shattered her dreams completely.

"The family got together this morning to say a prayer, and she stayed locked up in her room, she doesn't want to face the outside world yet. Only her parents go in and out of her room," a family friend said.

According to the paper, the authorities have stated that Aquilone, accompanied by his wife and three young children, was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident. They, however, escaped injury.

"Aquilone, a partner at a financial-equities firm, was charged with vehicular manslaughter, operating under the influence, and endangering the welfare of a child," police said. (ANI)