Two Yuba City men are facing manslaughter charges after the personal watercraft they were riding struck and killed a 3-year-old child near the shore of the Feather River.
Authorities today identified the child as Dominique Lee Williams, of Marysville.
The collision occurred about 5:26 p.m. Saturday when John William Blanchard, 63, and Allan John Minkema, 50, were riding the watercraft about 15 to 20 mph toward the shore of Mosquito Beach, according to a Sutter County Sheriff's Department news release.
The watercraft hit Dominique, who was standing in the water, about three or four feet from shore.
The law requires watercraft to be at 5 mph if they are within 100 feet of bathers or swimmers, or if they are within 200 feet from a beach that is frequented by bathers or swimmers.
Dominique suffered major head injuries and was taken to Rideout Memorial Hospital, where he died about 6:20 p.m.
Blanchard and Minkema were arrested on suspicion of vessel manslaughter and booked into the county jail. Both have posted bail, said sheriff's Sgt. Greg Zembiec.
Zembiec would not disclose whether there was any kind of motive in the crash or whether the men expressed remorse. He said witnesses reported that the men had been drinking. Authorities are awaiting a toxicology report.
Sutter County sheriff's deputies continue to investigate the crash.
Call The Bee's Niesha Lofing, (916) 321-1270.
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