Las Vegas Sun

August 29, 2008

Two California teenagers die in accident on Colorado River

Two Murrietta, Calif., teenagers died after their personal water craft and a boat crashed about 5:30 p.m. Saturday on the Colorado River, north of Needles Bridge.

Officials responding found firefighters and paramedics performing CPR on 19-year-old Desiree Hobill, who was driving the personal water craft.

Paramedics were also treating 14-year-old Tiffany A. Breslin. Both teenagers were taken to Colorado River Medical Center. Breslin was flown to Sunrise Hospital in Las Vegas where she was pronounced dead at 1:30 a.m. Sunday.

Hobill was pronounced dead at the medical center about 7 p.m. Saturday. Murrietta is located between Los Angeles and San Diego in the Southern California desert.

Investigators learned that 46-year-old Daniel Gene Ashcraft of Tustin, Calif., saw the water craft coming towards him after he passed under the Needles Bridge heading northbound on the river.

Ashcraft said that the teenagers were looking toward the Arizona shoreline and not where their craft was headed. He said he attempted to avoid the crash by turning his Chaparral boat, but could not turn in time, officials said.

This boating crash is still under investigation by the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department boating accident investigation team. At this time, alcohol does not appear to be a factor in the crash, officials said.

Discussion: 2 comments so far...

  1. I just want to say that we are thinking of both families at this time. I can't stop thinking about Tiffany. I didn't know her, but my husband and kids know the family. I would hear the stories about their time spent at the Breslin's home. When he was over at their home Debbie and Tiffany always took care of our children. Weather it was to feed them or let them come in and watch T.V. Mike took time to show our oldest some pointers on hitting a baseball. My husband Kyle built, their pool and has gotten to know them as friends. They are a very sweet family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.

  2. I am surprised by the lack of objectivity in this report. There appears to be incorrect information and information that seems to have been purposefully omitted. Personal Opinion is that you bias the report with a statement from the boat owner, Ashcroft, but do not include statements from witnesses who would present a totally different picture than what you have reported. Shame on you Ms. Manning.

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