Family urges safety focus, not blame, after cadet Evan Greenleigh’s fatal boating crash

Weeks after the death of Citadel cadet Evan Greenleigh in a boat crash, his family is speaking out about how the loss has profoundly changed them. In the new statement released through the family attorney on Tuesday, David and Suzanne, Evan's parents, alongside his sister, Lily, reiterated what News 4 reported in early June , that blaming Edward Marion Tavel III for the boating accident that killed Greenleigh would not, and does not, mitigate the family's current suffering. "Honoring Evan’s memory does not mean placing blame for his death on his best friend, who has already suffered tremendously," the family said in a statement. "The best way to honor Evan is to do everything we can to help ensure that no family endures the pain that we are experiencing." The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources charged Tavel with manslaughter in connection with the April crash at a dock off King Street in the Old Village area of Mount Pleasant. Following the charge, Greenleigh’s father, David, said the loss of his son and the accusations have been painful, and described the relationship between the two cadets as extremely close. “They brought the best out of each other,” he said on June 4 . “Wherever my son is, I don't know where he is, but wherever he is, he's gotta be so hurt by this. He's gotta be so angry.” The family disputed reports that alcohol was involved in the crash, despite SCDRN investigators claiming Tavel had consumed alcohol earlier in the day . By the time authorities ran blood tests, Tevel was clear of any alcohol. "The night he died, Evan was enjoying a beautiful Spring night in Charleston with friends, including his best friend and fellow cadet, Edward Tavel, something he had done many times before," the family said. "Contrary to some reports and speculation, alcohol did not contribute to this tragic accident." At the time of the deadly boat crash, Evan was finishing his first year at The Citadel and playing tennis. His family hopes to move on from the tragedy by prioritizing safety over punishment. "As Evan's family, we are committed to that effort," the family said. "We stand ready to work with the appropriate officials, agencies, and stakeholders to improve public safety on Charleston's cherished waterways and to raise awareness about steps we can all take to prevent a tragedy like this from ever happening again."