Officials say alcohol was a factor in a deadly boating accident on the Colorado River on July 11, 2009 that killed 23-year-old David Kerber of Moreno Valley and injured seven others. According to a news report in the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, Kerber was driving his 1999 Lavey Craft powerboat south on the river near the entrance to Lake Havasu, when he tried to pass a 1989 Caribbean powerboat operated by Michael Coleman. Kerber then collided with a northbound 2001 Warlock powerboat operated by Joal Patterson. Kerber’s boat was also hit by Coleman’s boat, which was unable to avoid the collision.
Kerber was thrown off the boat. A San Bernardino County Sheriff’s team recovered his body that was found floating face down in the river. A passenger on Kerber’s boat sustained minor injuries. Five passengers on the Warlock were taken to an area hospital with injuries. Patterson sustained internal injuries. A woman aboard the Caribbean suffered head injuries. Sheriff’s officials say alcohol was involved, but haven’t said which party is suspected of drinking. No arrests have been made yet in this case.
My heart goes out to the family of David Kerber for their tragic and heartbreaking loss. I offer my deepest sympathies to them. I also sympathize with the injured victims. I wish them all the very best for a quick and complete recovery. Please keep them in your prayers.
Boating accidents are apparently on the rise and most of them involve recreational vessels such as personal watercraft. According to the U.S. Coast Guard’s 2007 boating statistics, the number of boating-related deaths fell from 710 in 2006 to 685 in 2007. But the number of boating accidents increased from 4,967 to 5,191. The number of boating related personal injury accidents rose from 3,474 to 3,673 and damages increased from $43 million to $53 million during that period. The most common causes of boating accidents are alcohol use, careless or reckless operation, passenger behavior and excessive speed. Also, according to this report, more than two-thirds of all fatal boating accident victims drowned.
It would be interesting to find out who was operating under the influence of alcohol at the time of this horrific boating crash. If one of the other parties was boating under the influence and caused Kerber’s death, they could be held civilly and criminally responsible for the boating accident and resulting injuries. In any accident where severe personal injury is involved, it is important to obtain the counsel of an experienced California personal injury lawyer. These victims and their families need the services of a reputed law firm that has significant experience and a successful track record in handling California boating accidents. The best California personal injury lawyers will always offer a free, comprehensive and confidential consultation to injured victims and/or their families