Drunk San Mateo Boater Hits Kayaking Teen In Lagoon: Police

SAN MATEO, CA — A teenage boy remains hospitalized in critical condition Monday after being hit by a drunk boater in San Mateo's Marina Lagoon, police say. The boy, who was not identified, was out kayaking on Sunday afternoon when the incident occurred.

"Officers determined that two individuals were kayaking in the lagoon in two separate kayaks, when one of the kayakers, a 15-year-old male from San Mateo, was struck by a motorized boat," police said in a news release. "The teen suffered serious injuries and was quickly transported to the nearest trauma center."

The boater responsible for hitting the teen "cooperated with the investigation" and was soon found to be undr the influence of alcohol, according to police. He was identified as 48-year-old Stephan Chiari of San Mateo.

"Though alcohol was determined to be a factor, the full dynamics of the collision remain under investigation at this time," police said.

Chiari was arrested on suspicion of reckless operation of a boat, and operating a boat while intoxicated with injury.

— Patch file photo by Renee Schiavone