A 19-year-old man charged in a fatal boating crash off Cape Cod searched the water in the darkness for his girlfriend, who lost her life in the crash, and pulled another person to safety after the group was tossed into the harbor, according to court documents.David Sullivan, of Medfield, was arraigned Tuesday in connection with the July 21 boating crash in Dennis that killed 17-year-old Sadie Mauro, a lacrosse player who was entering her senior year at Dover-Sherborn Regional High School. Details about the moments after the crash were included in a memo his attorneys presented to the court in support of Sullivan’s release on $5,000 bail.Sullivan is accused of operating under the influence of liquor when he crashed the boat into a jetty in Sesuit Harbor. The impact sent the six people on the boat, including Sullivan, into the water.”In the darkness, (Sullivan) managed to swim back to the still-running boat, maneuver his way on board, and shut off the engines. Within seconds, he dove back into the water in search of his girlfriend and the other individuals who had been on the boat. The first person he located was a male, who he physically pulled through the water and lifted back onto the boat,” the attorneys wrote.They claim Sullivan was “repeatedly yelling” the names of his girlfriend and others who were on the boat.Sullivan’s lawyers also said police spoke with him three different times in the hours after the crash. However, officers never conducted a field sobriety test.”The accident took the life of Mr. Sullivan’s girlfriend– and best friend. Since that date, not a day has gone by that Mr. Sullivan has not grieved with his girlfriend’s family, relived the horrors of the accident, and prepared for the possibility of having to defend himself in court against criminal charges,” defense attorneys wrote.Sullivan pleaded not guilty to charges that include death of a person caused by operating a vessel under the influence of intoxicating liquor, possessing false RMV documents, minor in possession of alcohol, operation of a vessel while under the influence of intoxicating liquor causing serious bodily injury and reckless or negligent operation of a vessel causing death. Sullivan was released on bail and ordered to surrender his passport. Mauro, who also played for Mass Elite Lacrosse, was remembered as a hardworking student who was genuine and effortlessly kind.”Sadie was the quintessential supportive teammate. Player of all positions. Caring for every individual on the team. Respectful of her coaches and opponents, officials. Always happy. You felt like she was a personality you could trust anything you had in her care,” said Leslie Frank of Mass. Elite Lacrosse. Sullivan is due back in court in December. Video below: Students, staff mourn death of student

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