Lake Sonoma Boat Crash: Occupants Seen 'Pouring Beer Out Of Boat,' Witnesses Tell Cops

SONOMA COUNTY, CA -- A Rohnert Park man was arrested late Saturday on suspicion of DUI in a boat crash on Lake Sonoma that left one person injured, the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office reported Monday.

Sonoma County sheriff's marine deputies placed Rosali Vasquez, 52, under arrest after he allegedly failed sobriety tests, according to Sonoma County sheriff's Sgt. Spencer Crum. The marine deputies had responded about 8:30 p.m. Saturday to reports of a boat collision northeast of the Lake Sonoma dam, he said.

"Deputies ... found an open-bow power boat had ran into the shoreline," Crum said. "Witnesses told deputies, prior to their arrival the boat occupants were seen pouring beer out of the boat."

One boat passenger, a 35-year-old man also from Rohnert Park, suffered lacerations to his face, chest and arm in the crash. Deputies provided first aid to the injured man before driving him to an ambulance waiting on shore, Crum said.

Back at the scene of the boat crash, Crum said Vasquez claimed "a mechanical malfunction caused him to run into the shoreline."

To deputies, however, the boater appeared to be intoxicated, the sergeant alleged.

"Vasquez failed field sobriety tests and was placed under arrest for felony boating under the influence," Crum said. "Vasquez was transported and booked into the Sonoma County Jail and has since bailed out on a $10,000 bail bond."

Monday morning, sheriff's officials were continuing their investigation of the crash.

Photo courtesy of Sonoma County Sheriff's Office