PHOENIX (AP) A hit-and-run jet boat crash on the Colorado
River killed three Orange County, Calif., residents while the Los
Angeles County, Calif., driver of a second speedboat was jailed
Sunday for investigation of a felony.
Grier D. Rush, who owns the Rush Performance boat company in
Maywood, surrendered to Arizona authorities for investigation of
leaving the scene of a fatal boat collision. He was held in lieu of
$1 million bail.
The accident took place about 6:30 p.m. Friday near Rio Lindo
Shores, an area where the Colorado River separates California and
Arizona near Parker, La Paz County sheriff's Sgt. Steve Bennett,
said Sunday.
Rush, 62, was at the wheel of one of his boats, along with two
passengers, when he crossed paths with a Sanger jet boat carrying
driver Jonathan Herbert, 21, of Laguna Hills, his sister, Jacquel
Herbert, her boyfriend, Josh Rogers, and Ashley Rollins, all 18,
were passengers. Rogers and Rollins are from Mission Viejo.
The 20-foot jet boat split in half on impact and then sank,
according to Buckskin fire Capt. Rich Gilbank. The young women were
pronounced dead at a nearby hospital. Herbert's body was found by
divers.
Rogers was in critical condition at a Phoenix hospital. His
grandparents, whom he lived with, were with him.
The brother and sister, their parents, Wayne and Jana Herbert,
and several friends, including Rollins' parents, went to the Red
Rock Resort to attend a V-drive powerboat event, a regular
gathering of speedboat enthusiasts.
Rush and his passengers were unhurt. He returned to Arizona when
he learned an arrest warrant was issued.
His passenger, Steve Shoop, 44, of Minnesota, also fled, but
returned to talk with authorities. Passenger Don Kramer, 53, of
Norco, waited on shore. Arizona does not penalize passengers who
leave accident scenes.
Rush and Herbert were not racing each other at the time, said
sheriff's Sgt. Alan Nelson, who is investigating the crash. Their
speeds at the time of the collision were not known, he said.
``This is probably one of the worst accidents I have seen in 27
years,'' Nelson said.
Both boats have been confiscated for the investigation.
Jacquel, nicknamed ``J Star,'' had just graduated from Laguna
Hills High School. She loved the ocean and planned to join the U.S.
Navy, said her friend Lacey Thompson. She had just started dating
Rogers.
Jonathan, nicknamed ``Little Jon,'' had run a car-detailing
business since he was 16. He enjoyed off-road motorcycling and was
about to open a new car company with a friend.
``On the jumps, he'd go higher and faster than anyone else,''
Scott Marks, 18, of Laguna Hills, said. He added that Jonathan
treated him like a younger brother.
(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)