Boater charged after 2 friends drown

MUHLENBERG TWP., Pa. (WPVI) -- The only survivor of a boating accident on the Susquehanna River is now being blamed for the tragedy.

Brandon Allen, 21, of Muhlenberg Township, was operating the boat in June 2013, when it started taking on water, sending everyone overboard.

His two friends drowned but Allen was able to swim to safety.

Now authorities have charged the Berks County man with homicide by watercraft.

They said the boat's weight was twice the safe operating capacity, and there were no life jackets on board.

"He's handling it about as well as anyone can who watched his two friends die and is being charged with a crime," said Mitchell Sommers, Allen's attorney.

If convicted, Allen could face the maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine up to $10,000, said officials.