Off-duty California sheriff’s sergeant suspected of boating while intoxicated, arrested after crash kills man on Colorado River

An off-duty San Bernardino County Sheriff’s sergeant suspected of being 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.

“He has been placed on paid administrative leave,” said Mara Rodriguez, a spokeswoman for the sheriff’s department. “The investigation is ongoing and upon completion will be submitted to the District Attorney’s Office.”

The collision, which happened south of the Needles Bridge, was reported to deputies shortly after 5:30 p.m.

The suspect, Bruce Anthony Southworth, 43, of Yucaipa, 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 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

Southworth was arrested on suspicion of negligent use of a watercraft while intoxicated, causing injury. Booking records show he was released on bail Saturday morning.

Southworth was among the law enforcement officers who received the state’s Medal of Valor for their role in the firefight with the suspects in the 2015 terrorist attack in San Bernardino. Syed Rizwan Farook and Tashfeen Malik died in the shootout.

The couple killed 14 people and wounded 21 others at the Inland Regional Center on Dec. 2, 2015.

Authorities asked anyone with information about Friday’s collision 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