Boater Indicted for Manslaughter

[Boatcop]

The driver of a '26 foot Laveycraft who was involved in a fatal collision 4th of July weekend was indicted by the La Paz County Grand Jury for 1 count of Manslaughter, 1 count of Leaving the Scene of a Fatal Accident, Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol, & 5 counts of Felony Endangerment.
According to witnesses, Jeffery Hewlett was traveling at more than 40 MPH through a heavily congested area near Parker Dam, when he struck a Personal Watercraft, killing the occupant, Victor Cortez of Santa Ana. Cortez's PWC was disabled and floating. The PWC had suffered engine problems and, according to witnesses was not under power at the time of the collsion.
Hewlett fled the scene, approaching Officers more than an hour later. Cortez was rushed by ambulance to the La Paz Regional Hospital where he died from massive trauma due to numerous propeller strikes.
Hewlett was interviewed by officers, given an intoxilyzer test, and booked into jail for the felony leaving the scene. He was released on his own recognizance the following day, upon recommendation of his lawyer. The Grand Jury returned the indictment on the more serious charges on July 15th.
Please don't ask for any more details. A trial date hasn't been set.

[Jordy]

Good. burningm

[mbrown2]

Thnx for the info, sounds about like the story I heard...

[Johnwithjm]

Looks like drinking and driving claims another. My thoughts and prayer go out to the family and friend of the man killed

[Ziggy]

jordanpaulk:
Good. burningm DITTO

[Sandbar Junkies]

You guys need to apoligize to the Lake Lice this time they were not in the wrong. It's very sad when anyone loses a life and we should be thankful for any day above dirt. It's sad that every weekend someone is dying and yet it seems to be getting worse instead of better. I bought a bigger boat this year and I know one thing I cruise around alot faster then I used to and I drink a whole lot less.
[ July 21, 2003, 07:23 PM: Message edited by: Sandbar Junkies ]

[Jordy]

Jeffrey just celebrated his 47th birthday on July 16th with 16 indictments from the grand jury:
Count 1: DUI-WATERCRAFT
Count 2: DUI-WATERCRAFT-ALCOHOL BAC .10
Count 3: CHILD/VULNERABLE ADULT ABUSE
Count 4: CHILD/VULNERABLE ADULT ABUSE
Count 5: CHILD/VULNERABLE ADULT ABUSE
Count 6: CHILD/VULNERABLE ADULT ABUSE
Count 7: ENDANGERMENT
Count 8: ENDANGERMENT
Count 9: ENDANGERMENT
Count 10: ENDANGERMENT
Count 11: ENDANGERMENT
Count 12: ENDANGERMENT
Count 13: ENDANGERMENT
Count 14: ENDANGERMENT
Count 15: MANSLAUGHTER-RECKLESS
Count 16: BOATING-LV SCENE OF ACCIDENT

[JetBoatRich]

What a sad story, all the things the driver did wrong and an innocent person lost their life because of it.
His family is truly paying the price,

[hot_diggity_dog]

Did anyone know him and was he a board member?
HDD

[mbrown2]

hot_diggity_dog:
Did anyone know him and was he a board member?
HDD Met him once at Foxes, don't think he was on the boards.