Boatcop
07-05-2005, 05:17 AM
Man hurt by hit-and-run boat
By Gary Weiand and John Gutekunst
Monday, July 4, 2005 8:41 PM MDT
An Independence Day weekend that had been called "quiet" was tarnished late Sunday when a hit-and-run boat accident on Lake Havasu left a young man with a severely injured foot. In La Paz County, authorities reported the death of a California man in a head-on vehicle collision and the injuries of two people in a boating accident.
At 5: 18 p.m. Sunday, Mohave County Sheriff's waterway deputies responded to reports that a 19-year-old male had been run over by a boat about a half-mile outside Bridgewater Channel.
The victim had fallen into the water after being towed on an inflatable tube, and was run over by a boat described as an orange and yellow, 18- to 24-foot tunnel boat with two outboard engines, according to Trish Carter, sheriff's information specialist. It continued without stopping, and the drivers may not have been aware of the incident, she said.
Lake Havasu Fire Department and River Medical ambulance personnel responded. The victim, whose name was not released, was transported to Lake Havasu Regional Medical Center in stable condition, with a severely injured left foot.
Investigation is pending, Carter said. Anyone with information on the tunnel boat should call Deputy Darland at (928) 753-0753.
On Saturday, Lake Havasu City Police Lt. Rich Sloma called the weekend quiet so far, and said July 4 visitors "are traditionally better behaved than Labor Day and Memorial Day."
In the La Paz County fatality, Kenneth Durant, Valley Center, Calif., died Saturday evening after the sports utility vehicle he was riding in was struck head-on by an SUV driven by Jack Bonfield, Whittier, Calif.
A report from the Arizona Department of Public Safety said the accident occurred about 8:50 p.m. Saturday near the junction of State Route 95 and Golf Course Road, about 7 miles north of Parker near Emerald Canyon Golf Course.
Durant's wife, whose name was not released, was driving their vehicle. She was flown to a Phoenix hospital for treatment. A passenger in the other vehicle, Harrison Bliss, Fullerton, Calif., was also flown to Phoenix for treatment.
Bonfield was arrested by the DPS for manslaughter, aggravated assault, and possession of drug paraphernalia, the report said.
The accident is under investigation by the DPS.
On the Colorado River south of Parker Dam, a personal watercraft carrying two male riders ran into the rocks near Holiday Harbor around 3 p.m. Saturday. One was treated and released at La Paz Regional Hospital, the other was flown to Phoenix for treatment. No names had been released late Monday.
Mohave County spokeswoman Trish Carter reported that the Mohave County Sheriff's Department had observed no fatalities as of Sunday afternoon. There were 15 citations for operating under the influence, three minor consuming alcohols, six boating accidents (three with injuries), 44 safety violation citations, three reckless operation citations, 53 safety violation warnings, and one warrant arrest, she said.
As of early Monday morning, the La Paz County Sheriff's Office reported the following arrests: three DUI, two aggravated DUI, three OUI, two extreme OUI, one disorderly conduct,13 for drugs, three outstanding warrants, one traffic offense, one minor consuming alcohol, and one shoplifting.
You may contact the reporter at gweiand@havasunews.com.
By Gary Weiand and John Gutekunst
Monday, July 4, 2005 8:41 PM MDT
An Independence Day weekend that had been called "quiet" was tarnished late Sunday when a hit-and-run boat accident on Lake Havasu left a young man with a severely injured foot. In La Paz County, authorities reported the death of a California man in a head-on vehicle collision and the injuries of two people in a boating accident.
At 5: 18 p.m. Sunday, Mohave County Sheriff's waterway deputies responded to reports that a 19-year-old male had been run over by a boat about a half-mile outside Bridgewater Channel.
The victim had fallen into the water after being towed on an inflatable tube, and was run over by a boat described as an orange and yellow, 18- to 24-foot tunnel boat with two outboard engines, according to Trish Carter, sheriff's information specialist. It continued without stopping, and the drivers may not have been aware of the incident, she said.
Lake Havasu Fire Department and River Medical ambulance personnel responded. The victim, whose name was not released, was transported to Lake Havasu Regional Medical Center in stable condition, with a severely injured left foot.
Investigation is pending, Carter said. Anyone with information on the tunnel boat should call Deputy Darland at (928) 753-0753.
On Saturday, Lake Havasu City Police Lt. Rich Sloma called the weekend quiet so far, and said July 4 visitors "are traditionally better behaved than Labor Day and Memorial Day."
In the La Paz County fatality, Kenneth Durant, Valley Center, Calif., died Saturday evening after the sports utility vehicle he was riding in was struck head-on by an SUV driven by Jack Bonfield, Whittier, Calif.
A report from the Arizona Department of Public Safety said the accident occurred about 8:50 p.m. Saturday near the junction of State Route 95 and Golf Course Road, about 7 miles north of Parker near Emerald Canyon Golf Course.
Durant's wife, whose name was not released, was driving their vehicle. She was flown to a Phoenix hospital for treatment. A passenger in the other vehicle, Harrison Bliss, Fullerton, Calif., was also flown to Phoenix for treatment.
Bonfield was arrested by the DPS for manslaughter, aggravated assault, and possession of drug paraphernalia, the report said.
The accident is under investigation by the DPS.
On the Colorado River south of Parker Dam, a personal watercraft carrying two male riders ran into the rocks near Holiday Harbor around 3 p.m. Saturday. One was treated and released at La Paz Regional Hospital, the other was flown to Phoenix for treatment. No names had been released late Monday.
Mohave County spokeswoman Trish Carter reported that the Mohave County Sheriff's Department had observed no fatalities as of Sunday afternoon. There were 15 citations for operating under the influence, three minor consuming alcohols, six boating accidents (three with injuries), 44 safety violation citations, three reckless operation citations, 53 safety violation warnings, and one warrant arrest, she said.
As of early Monday morning, the La Paz County Sheriff's Office reported the following arrests: three DUI, two aggravated DUI, three OUI, two extreme OUI, one disorderly conduct,13 for drugs, three outstanding warrants, one traffic offense, one minor consuming alcohol, and one shoplifting.
You may contact the reporter at gweiand@havasunews.com.