Two die in boat crash

Two Huntington Beach residents were killed and another was seriously injured when the boat they were in crashed into the Gilbert Drive Bridge over Shelter Channel in Huntington Harbour early Saturday morning.

Caleb Steele, who celebrated his 30th birthday June 3, and Shawn Wilson, 35, were out boating with James Geekie, 37, during high tide at 1 a.m. when the boat was unable to clear the bridge, said Jim Amormino of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. Wilson, the driver and registered owner of the 12-foot, inflatable Zodiac boat, was traveling up to 20 mph in the 5-mph zone, he said.

Alcohol was “probably a factor” in the incident, and some empty beer containers were found inside the boat, Amormino said.

“Whether it’s a car, a boat or any kind of vehicle, when you throw in the mix of alcohol, it makes it more dangerous,” Amormino said.

Geekie, who was admitted to UC Irvine Medical Center for lacerations to the head, has been discharged, said John Murray, media relations manager for the center.

Wilson’s body was found immediately after the incident was reported, and Steele’s body was discovered under a dock about 9 a.m. by the Orange County Sheriff’s Dive Team.

Right before the incident, “witnesses saw them doing some doughnuts [tight circles] and kind of driving recklessly in the water,” said Jeff Lopez, deputy fire marshal for Huntington Beach.

Wilson, situated in the back of the boat, plunged into the water after the crash, likely after knocking his head on the bridge, Amormino said. Steele, situated at the front of the boat, was also knocked into the water. Geekie, in the middle, managed to stay inside the boat and probably “came to and climbed out,” Amormino said.

The boat has been impounded for investigation.

The incident came at a time when U.S. Coast Guard and other law enforcement agencies were out in full force Friday to Sunday for “Operation Dry Water,” a weekend enforcing zero tolerance of drinking and boating.