A Long Beach boat owner has been charged with vehicular manslaughter after a tragic crash claimed the life of a passenger and injured several others. Kevin King, 57, was driving his 48-foot boat, named “Four Kings,” when it collided with a jetty at high speed on July 3. The accident resulted in the death of John Correa, a former UC Berkeley baseball player, and left seven others injured.
According to the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office, King was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges and could face up to 13 years in prison if convicted. Passengers on the boat reported that they had been enjoying food and drinks during what was meant to be a leisurely outing. While some noticed that King had been drinking, they did not believe he appeared heavily intoxicated.
One passenger, Barry Vince, expressed regret over his previous confidence in King’s ability to operate the boat safely while drinking. He admitted that he had allowed King to drive in the past but recognized the dangers of drunk boating after the incident. “I never thought about that with a boat for some reason,” Vince said.
Prosecutors emphasized that operating any vehicle, including boats, while intoxicated poses serious risks to everyone involved. They highlighted that accountability is essential in such cases. King, described by passengers as an experienced boater, was reportedly familiar with the area and had navigated the jetty many times before.
The boat was carrying a dozen passengers when it crashed while returning to the dock in Alamitos Bay. Witnesses estimated the boat was traveling at speeds of 30 to 40 miles per hour when it hit the jetty. The impact was described as horrific, knocking six people on the upper deck unconscious, including King. Tragically, Correa did not survive the crash.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of operating boats under the influence, drawing parallels to driving while intoxicated. The community is left mourning the loss of Correa and hoping for a resolution that brings justice to those affected by this tragedy.