by Jerry Burke
The Douglas Manor teenager had originally been charged with three misdemeanors including operating a boat while under the influence of alcohol. Tests showing the 18-year-old was not drunk lead to the dismissal of the charges, but investigators continued the case to determine whether or not Arnold should face manslaughter or homicide charges.
On July 11, police say Arnold was driving his boat in circles about a half-mile outside of the Bayside Marina when he collided with Kodogianis' boat. The crash left two dead, including Arnold's best friend George Lawrence, 17, and left two others seriously wounded.
One of the wounded, Kodogianis' wife Marisa Rodgers, told police that Arnold was speeding without his lights on. Other witnesses to the accident could not back up that claim, say police.
"It has been concluded, based on the review, that the evidence is legally insufficient to sustain the filling of criminal charges," said Brown in a release.
Police also found that Kodogianis' blood alcohol level was .19, nearly twice the legal limit of intoxication, at the time of the accident but did not say if that had any role in the incident.
Neither Rodgers or Arnold were available for comment, but previous reports say Rodgers is preparing for a civil lawsuit against Arnold.
