An off-duty sheriff’s sergeant was arrested on suspicion of DUI after a man was killed in a boat crash in San Bernardino County.
On July 25, deputies from the Colorado River Station responded to the crash on the Colorado River in Needles, just south of the Needles Bridge, shortly after 5:30 p.m.
The suspect, Bruce Southworth, 43, of Yucaipa, was operating a 22-foot Cheetah deck boat downriver when he crashed into an 18-foot Sanger vessel that was adrift.
The impact left a male victim on the Sanger with critical injuries. He was transported to the hospital where he died from his injuries. He was later identified as Weston Stewart, 38, of La Verne.
Investigators said alcohol appeared to be a factor in the fatal crash. Southworth is a sergeant with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, according to the San Bernardino Sun.
He was arrested at the scene for negligent use of a watercraft while intoxicated, causing injury. He was released on bail on Saturday morning.
No further details were released as the deadly incident remains under investigation.
Anyone with additional information is urged to call Deputy William Poe of the Colorado River Station/Needles Police Department at 760-326-9200.
Anonymous tips can be provided to We-Tip at 1-800-782-7463 or online at wetip.com.