Millionaire businessman Graham Stanton, 40, has been charged with a crime following a deadly collision between his yacht and a smaller vessel in October 2021 in the British Virgin Islands, reported the Daily Mail.

Stanton, who is married to the daughter of the 3rd Baron Strathcarron,  a sitting member of the House of Lords, has been charged alongside Sam Morrell, an associate who was allegedly at the helm of the boat when it crashed.

What Happened?

At the time of the collision, Morrell and Stanton were on Stanton's boat with Stanton's wife and two children, then aged eight and six. Also onboard was fashion industry figure William Banks-Blaney.

According to Mr. Stanton's version of events, he handed control of his 40ft motor cruiser called Blue Bayou over to Morrell when he went to the bathroom. It then crashed into a smaller vessel with three people on board.

The three passengers on the powerboat were taken to hospital, but 50-year-old Frandy Martin Jr. lost his life.

Martin was well-known in his local area. He was a drummer who played with a number of different bands, reported the BVI Beacon. He also played volleyball to a high standard, according to the Daily Mail report.

Stanton's children were also thrown from the boat following the collision, according to the Mail report. His wife also suffered serious injuries, including a collapsed lung and a number of broken ribs.

According to reports, Stanton fled the scene in his boat without offering assistance to occupants of the other vessel. He claimed he did not know there were other individuals overboard and that he wanted to get his wife to hospital.

The collision between the yacht and a powerboat almost cut the smaller vessel in half, according to a report from Virgin Island News Online.

It reportedly took place near Prospect Reef in the British Virgin Islands, according to a BVI Beacon report.

Who Is Graham Stanton?

Graham Stanton is a fintech founder who moved from the United Kingdom to the British Virgin Islands in 2019, according to the Daily Mail report.

His wife Sophie founded a leading art industry recruitment agency.

What's Next?

Stanton is facing a charge of failing to render assistance following a collision. If he's convicted, he'll face a maximum sentence of six months in prison and a fine of £8,000, reported the Daily Mail.

Because Morrell was allegedly in control of the yacht when the collision took place, he's facing charges of manslaughter and causing serious injury to a person while on board a vessel as well as one count of failing to render assistance.

According to the Mail, there have been unconfirmed reports of missing evidence related to Mr. Morrell.

The police returned the yacht that was involved in the incident to Graham Stanton. He has reportedly renamed and repainted the vessel.

Both Stanton and Morrell declined requests for comment from the Daily Mail.