San Bernardino County deputy arrested for deadly boat crash on Colorado River
The crash happened a little after 5:30 p.m. on Friday just south of the Needles Bridge on the river in Needles, according to a news release from SBSD.
"A 22-foot Cheetah deck boat, operated by Bruce Southworth, was traveling downriver when it impacted an 18-foot Sanger vessel that was adrift on the river," the release said.
The crash left the victim, 38-year-old La Verne resident Weston Stewart, with major injuries. He was rushed to a nearby hospital where he later died, deputies said.
"Alcohol appears to be a factor in this incident," SBSD said.
Southworth, of Yucaipa, was arrested at the scene and booked for negligent use of a watercraft while intoxicated causing injury. On Saturday, department officials confirmed that Southworth is a deputy and that he has been placed on administrative leave as a result of the crash.
They say that the investigation remains ongoing and that any additional information will be provided to the San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office.
It's unclear if there were any other injuries in the collision.
In 2017, Southworth was one of six San Bernardino first responders awarded the Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor by President Donald Trump for their response to the 2015 workplace shooting that left 14 people dead.
Anyone who knows more is asked to contact SBSD at (760) 326-9200.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBS News
18 minutes ago
- CBS News
Investigators share new details in 2019 disappearance of Los Angeles County man connected to religious group
Investigators are releasing new details on a Claremont man's disappearance in 2017, who has recently been connected to another man missing from the Inland Empire since they both belonged to the same religious group. Ruben Moreno, 41, was last seen in Dec. 2017 at a home in the 3900 block of Swarthmore Court, according to the Claremont Police Department. They say that he was one amongst members of a religious organization known as "His Way Spirit Led Assemblies." Detectives noted that Moreno was living at the residence with other members of the group at the time. None of them live at or occupy the residence any longer, police noted. Though he wasn't seen after then, family members didn't report him missing until August of 2019. Since then, police have been unable to locate any leads that led to Moreno's location. He is described as standing about 5-foot-6 and weighing around 180 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes. "We are aware of public interest in possible connections between this case and a separate missing persons investigation out of Redlands," CPD said in a press release. "At this time, the only similarity between the two cases are the individuals' ties to His Way Spirit Led Assemblies." The case they're referring to is that of missing Tennessee man Emilio Salem Ghanem. He was reported missing from Redlands in 2023 after visiting a Starbucks and has not been seen since. Redlands Police Department investigators are looking into his disappearance as a potential homicide. Ghanem, who is in his mid-40s, is said to be about 5-foot-7 and weighs around 130 pounds. He has hazel eyes and black hair. In recent weeks, investigators have shared new details on his disappearance, disclosing that he was a member of the same religious organization for nearly two decades and worked for a pest control company owned by the group. Anyone with more information on either of the men's whereabouts is urged to contact CPD at (909) 399-5411 or RPD at (909) 551-4424.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Aubrey Plaza to star as Hollywood madam Heidi Fleiss
Aubrey Plaza is set to star as Hollywood madam Heidi Fleiss in a new biopic. Titled The Heidi Fleiss Story, the dark comedy will follow the final days leading up to Fleiss' 1993 arrest, when authorities exposed her high-end prostitution ring operating in Los Angeles, Deadline reports. Plaza will star in and produce the film through her company, Evil Hag. The project marks her first major role since the death of her husband, filmmaker Jeff Baena, in January this year. Fleiss rose to prominence in the early 1990s for allegedly running a secretive operation that catered to celebrities, media executives and other powerful figures. She was said to have taken over the business from her mentor, convicted madam Elizabeth 'Madam Alex' Adams, and expanded it into a multimillion-dollar enterprise. That empire collapsed in June 1993, when Fleiss was arrested and later charged with pandering, tax evasion and money laundering. Prosecutors alleged she laundered more than $1.5 million (£1.1 million) through shell companies and false records. The case drew national headlines, fuelled by speculation over a list of high-profile clients. The list remains sealed to this day. Plaza has been gradually returning to public life following Baena's death by suicide. In February, she appeared on SNL50: The Anniversary Special, wearing a pink tie-dyed T-shirt - a subtle tribute to the couple's wedding-day attire. The pair had been together for more than a decade, but had separated in the months before Baena's death.
CBS News
an hour ago
- CBS News
Nearly 20 cars destroyed in massive Santa Ana carport fire
More than two dozen cars were destroyed or damaged in a massive fire at a Santa Ana carport early Wednesday morning, and investigators are working to determine what sparked the destructive blaze. Firefighters were dispatched to the 800 block of S. Sullivan Street at around 3:20 a.m. after learning of the blaze, according to the Orange County Fire Authority. Upon arrival, they found 19 vehicles that were fully engulfed in flames. By the time they were able to extinguish the fire, four other cars also sustained damage. One person was treated at the scene for minor injuries, but it's unclear what the nature of those injuries was. People living in the nearby Villa del Sol apartments were woken up to the sound of explosions and blaring car alarms when the fire erupted. Many of their cars are now destroyed. Investigators are working to determine what may have started the fire and have not released any details on a possible suspect. Property management at the apartment complex has not yet returned CBS News Los Angeles' request for comment on the matter.
