ORANGE COUNTY, Texas — A fatal boating accident on the Sabine River has claimed the life of 37-year-old David Mitchell Besser of Pearland, Texas. The collision occurred shortly after 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, when a 25-foot bay boat struck a moving commercial barge along the Sabine River/Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, approximately halfway between Cow Bayou and Adams Bayou.
Orange County Justice of the Peace Chad Jenkins confirmed Besser’s identity and has ordered an autopsy to determine the official cause of death. Besser, the sole occupant of the recreational vessel, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office notified Texas Parks and Wildlife Game Wardens of the crash around 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. A coordinated multi-agency response ensued, involving Texas Game Wardens, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit, and the U.S. Coast Guard. The U.S. Coast Guard has assumed the lead role in the investigation due to the involvement of a commercial vessel.
Responding authorities found that Besser’s bay boat had collided with the front of the barge. The circumstances surrounding the crash remain under investigation, with officials examining factors such as vessel speed, visibility, navigation signals, and waterway conditions. No information has been released regarding injuries to barge crew members or additional occupants on the bay boat.
Capt. Ryan Hall of Texas Parks and Wildlife highlighted the collaborative response and noted that efforts are ongoing to determine the cause of the collision. The U.S. Coast Guard is expected to release further details as the investigation progresses.
David Mitchell Besser was known among family and friends for his love of boating and the outdoors. His untimely death underscores the inherent risks of navigating waterways shared by recreational and commercial vessels.
Maritime authorities are reiterating calls for boaters to exercise caution, maintain awareness of their surroundings, and strictly adhere to safety regulations to prevent future tragedies.