A Yucaipa man who deputies suspect was drunk was arrested after his boat collided with another boat on the Colorado River in Needles, killing a La Verne man Friday night, July 25.
The collision, which happened south of the Needles Bridge, was reported to deputies shortly after 5:30 p.m.
The suspect was operating a 22-foot Cheetah deck boat downriver when it hit an 18-foot Sanger vessel that was adrift on the river, according to a statement from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.
A man on the Sanger boat had major injuries and died at the Colorado River Medical Center. The sheriff’s department identified him as Weston R. Stewart, 38, of La Verne.
Alcohol appears to be a factor in the collision, sheriff’s officials said
Bruce Anthony Southworth, 43, was arrested on suspicion of negligent use of a watercraft while intoxicated, causing injury. Booking records show Southworth was released on bail Saturday morning.
Authorities asked anyone with information about the case to call Deputy William Poe of the Colorado River Station/Needles Police Department at 760-326-9200. Anonymous tipsters can call the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME or go to wetip.com
