MONTEREY COUNTY, CA – A boat crash in Moss Landing Harbor turned deadly last week after a physical altercation ended with one man left to drown, authorities said.
The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office arrested a 29-year-old man for voluntary manslaughter after a 26-year-old from Aptos died in the harbor waters. According to officials, the two boats collided just before 9 a.m. Wednesday. The younger man reportedly boarded the suspect’s boat, leading to a fight during which the suspect allegedly struck him with a stick, knocking him into the water.
The suspect left the scene while the victim remained in the harbor. A nearby boat attempted to assist by throwing a life preserver, but the rescue failed.
Sheriff’s divers, aided by the Coast Guard and sonar technology, recovered the victim’s body around 1:20 p.m. An autopsy will determine the exact cause of death. The suspect is being held at Monterey County Jail on $200,000 bail.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Detective Josue Ramirez at (831) 253-6068.
