7-year-old swimmer dies after accused drunken boater crashes into her, CA cops say

A 7-year-old girl died after being hit by a boat while she was swimming in the Colorado River near the border of California and Arizona, authorities reported.

The girl was swimming close to the shoreline near Buckskin Mountain State Park when she was hit at about 5 p.m. Sunday, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.

Despite efforts to revive her, the girl was pronounced dead at a hospital, the release said.

Deputies arrested the boat operator, Arthur Garcia, 37, of Indio, California, on suspicion of boating while intoxicated, sheriff’s officials said. They reported he was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the collision.

Sheriff’s officials ask that anyone with information call deputies Bryant Moore or Brian Weck of the Colorado River Station at 760-326-9200.

Buckskin Mountain State Park lies on the Arizona side of the Colorado River near Parker. Several resorts are located along both sides of the river nearby.

This story was originally published May 31, 2022 at 9:00 AM with the headline "7-year-old swimmer dies after accused drunken boater crashes into her, CA cops say."