LOS ANGELES, CALIF. — A Long Beach man has been charged with felony counts after allegedly operating a boat under the influence and crashing into a jetty in Alamitos Bay last summer, killing one passenger and injuring seven others, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced.
Key Points
- Kevin King is charged with two felony counts and special allegations after a deadly boat crash.
- The crash killed John Correa and seriously injured seven passengers.
- King pleaded not guilty and faces up to 13 years in prison if convicted.
Deadly crash followed Fourth of July celebrations
Kevin King, 56, is accused of piloting a 48-foot sportfishing boat while intoxicated on the night of July 3, 2024, when the vessel slammed into the Alamitos Bay jetty around 9:20 p.m. Authorities say King had 11 passengers aboard at the time of the crash.
John Correa, 59, of Long Beach, was pronounced dead at the scene. Correa was a former baseball player and coach known in the local community. Seven others sustained serious injuries during the collision.
“This case is a tragic reminder of the devastating consequences of operating any vehicle — on land or water — while under the influence of alcohol,” said District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman.
Felony charges and legal proceedings
King was charged in case number 25LBCF00476 with one count of vehicular manslaughter while operating a vessel under the influence and one count of operating a watercraft while intoxicated. Both charges are felonies. Special allegations were added for causing great bodily injury to seven victims.
King pleaded not guilty during his arraignment Tuesday. A preliminary hearing setting is scheduled for May 9 in Department S21 of the Long Beach Courthouse.
Maximum sentence of 13 years possible
If convicted on all charges and allegations, King faces a maximum sentence of 13 years in state prison. The District Attorney’s Office emphasized the case as part of a broader warning against intoxicated operation of any vehicle.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office continues to support the victims and families affected, as the case moves toward further court proceedings.