2 Roseville men killed in high-speed boat crash on Colorado River near Lake Havasu
Two Roseville men were killed Tuesday after their high-speed boat crashed on the Colorado River on the California-Arizona border.
Mohave County Sheriff’s Office said in a social media that deputies responded about 4:50 p.m. to investigate a boating collision near Topock Gorge, north of Lake Havasu.
Fire boats from the San Bernardino County and Lake Havasu City fire departments treated two people after locating a vessel near the California shoreline.
One of the individuals was pronounced dead on the scene. The second was transported by medical helicopter to a hospital where he was pronounced dead, authorities said.
Authorities identified the two individuals as Noah Welch, 33, and James Rutherford Jr., 53.
The Sheriff’s Office said investigators determined the 25-foot DCB Performance Marine Mach 26 catamaran was traveling upstream on the Colorado at a high speed at the time of the crash.
“The boat lost control and struck the rock shoreline on the Arizona side of the river. The boat continued where it came to rest in the reeds of the California shoreline,” the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office Facebook post said.
The catamaran, named “No Quarter,” was owned and registered to Rutherford, according to Arizona boating records.
Welch worked for Buck Family Automotive in Carmichael. The company said in a Facebook post he was more than an employee but a lifelong friend to the owner of the company.
“We are deeply grateful for the years, memories, and impact he leaves behind,” the post said. “His presence will be missed more than words can express, but his legacy will continue in the work we do and the community he helped build.”
A candlelight vigil was hosted for Welch in Roseville on Wednesday evening.
The incident is still under investigation, authorities said.
