SAN BERNARDINO — A fatal collision between two boats on the Colorado River led to the arrest of a deputy sheriff accused of boating while intoxicated, California sheriff’s officials reported.
A 22-foot Cheetah deck boat crashed into an 18-foot Sanger vessel that was adrift on the river near Needles at 5:32 p.m. Friday, July 25, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release
Weston Stewart, 38, who was on the 18-foot boat, suffered serious injuries in the collision, deputies said. Rescuers began CPR, but he was later pronounced dead at a hospital.
Bruce Southworth, 43, who authorities say was operating the other boat, faces a charge of negligent use of a watercraft while intoxicated; causing injury, deputies said.
An investigation into the crash continues. Detectives ask anyone with information to call 1-760-326-9200.
Needles is about a 255-mile drive northeast from Los Angeles.
By DON SWEENEY/Sacramento Bee
Don Sweeney has been a newspaper reporter and editor in California for more than 25 years. He has been a real-time reporter based at The Sacramento Bee since 2016.
