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Man killed by boat named

By JAYNE HANSON
Today's News-Herald
Published Sunday, July 4, 2010 10:51 PM MST

San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department identified the man who was killed during a hit-and-run boating incident Saturday on Lake Havasu as 30-year-old Eric Norris, of Huntington Beach, Calif.

The accident occurred at 5:30 p.m. at Havasu Lake, Calif., near Havasu Landing Casino, when the victim was one of two people riding inflatable chairs being towed behind a boat. The victim fell off his inner tube and as his towboat was turning to retrieve him, the suspect boat struck him.

The suspect boat slowed after being hailed by the victim’s boat, then fled the scene of the accident.

“We have received numerous tips from the public and we have checked three different boats but all were ruled out. We are grateful to the public for their input but we have unable to locate the suspect boat,” said SBCD Sgt. Tim Smith. The department is still actively seeking the vessel.

The suspect boat is approximately 25-feet long, predominantly red with a white stripe. It has a V-hull and an enclosed bow. The boat also had a Bimini top however the color is unknown, Smith said.

The boat was last seen leaving the scene of the accident in the direction of Chalk Cliffs. A man described as a white, heavy-set male with a moustache, wearing a hat, was driving the boat. Also in the boat was a white female with blonde hair, earlier reports said.

During the incident, passengers in the towing boat helped retrieve the victim and immediately began CPR. They brought Norris to Havasu Landing where they performed CPR until San Bernardino County Fire Boat arrived. SBCFD continued CPR until the Lake Havasu City’s fireboat arrived to transport the victim to the Windsor Launch Ramps at Lake Havasu State Park for transport to Havasu Regional Medical Center, according to earlier reports.

Havasu’s Battalion Chief Mike Quijada confirmed Sunday that Norris suffered multiple and serious lacerations from the propeller and was unable to be revived.

Smith said about three years ago a similar incident occurred in the area of the Interstate 40 Bridge that spans the Colorado River near Topock. That fatal incident has still not been cleared, he said.

Anyone with information about the boat or its operator’s whereabouts is asked to contact San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Det. Trahin or Sgt. Smith at (760) 326-9200, or any local law enforcement agency.

Today’s News-Herald Sports Editor David Bell contributed to this report. You may contact the reporter at jhanson@havasunews.com.

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Comments (18 comment(s))

northbound wrote on Jul 19, 2010 12:24 PM:

" This is very sad, my heart felt sympathy to the family and friends of Eric. Please don't blame SBCSO for not being able to finde the driver of the suspect boat. We don't even know for a fact they were on the lake patroling. When a call comes in to 911 SBCSO,LHCPD and MCSO are contacted sometimes they are not on the water and have to respond from land at times SBCSO responds from Needles or where ever the're boat is at the time of a call. Yes I agree boat numbers should be larger and in more then one place. That is an issue to take up with fish/game as they handle boat registration not law enforcement. SBCSO has put an attempt to locate out for this boat and driver, if they are doing it the right way it will be in all the local papers for all body shops in CA an AZ to check for such a boat with damage in a certain area. Lets just offer our prayers to the family and friends of Eric and pray the driver of the other boat does the right thing. "

LHCwasteland wrote on Jul 14, 2010 10:42 PM:

" I have questioned whether or not this guy new he hit someone. If he did, yes he is a low life. Not only is he, but the person with him as well and should be prosecuted as well. At some point as a reminder in all high speed sports and activities, there's always dangers and deaths that will happen. That's why in a busy lake it's not a good idea to ski or pull anyone on any kind of tow. You really have to take responsibility as well to protect the people on your boat .I'm just saying, don't ski or tow on weekends when it's crowded. You want to ski that bad, get up early in the morning before the boats head out. The Lake really isn't that big. I say this again, I see too many people pulling their kids around having a great time in traffic like every can see them or a mistake won't happen. You can get mad at me all you want but, don't make others be responsible for you and your passengers. I feel for this mans family and hope others will be careful out there because, it will happen again. "

embaca wrote on Jul 13, 2010 2:52 PM:

" This article is about my nephew Eric Norris killed by a hit and run boater on Lake Havasu July 3rd. We are desperately trying to understand how such a coward could do such a thing. We know the male is a coward otherwise he would have come forth by now, so my appeal is to the woman in the boat with him. To this female I say this; you are now an accessory to the crime, you may be facing some very serious charges. For your sake, given the severity of the crime you need to come forward. Contact the sheriffs department, the police department, contact any authority - just please do the right thing. This man needs to answer to the proper authorities NOW, as the days go by it will only get worse for both of you. My nephew had a 7 year old son that was as close to a father as a son could be, they were inseparable. He misses his father so much, he is having nightmares. Please please do the right thing and turn yourself in. Thank you, Ellen M. Baca Kingman, Arizona "

haynes wrote on Jul 13, 2010 1:18 PM:

" I am just stunned and disgusted ~ I am so sorry to the family and friends of Eric...what a horrible loss. We got off the lake about 5 that same day at the Windsor launch and we noticed how very fast other boats were passing us on such a busy weekend...we also tube and ski in that same area over by the casino quite often so ~ WOW ~ do those idiots that go speeding past not realize that there are other people on the lake also...PLEASE SLOW DOWN or if you are on someone else's boat tell them to slow down so this does not happen again. Just horrible...I can't help in identifying the boat but I will be watching both on the lake & driving from Santa Monica to Havasu for anything resembling ~ ALSO HELP THE FAMILY NOW BY DONATING...what if this happened to your friend or relative...this just sickens me because we love Lake Havasu & this should never have happened! RED BOAT DRIVER ~ OWN UP TO YOUR RECKLESSNESS AND COWARDNESS!!!
http://www.ericoctopusnorris.com/
Deeply sorry to the family & friends...RIP Eric... "

FTown wrote on Jul 12, 2010 9:43 PM:

" Assuming they knew they hit him, the female passenger in the boat now has the ultimate blackmail on the driver. When he screws her over, and being the piece of work that he undoubtedly is, he undoubtedly will, the passenger will have the best revenge ever by leaving an anonymous tip. I hope she does it. "

maverick1115 wrote on Jul 12, 2010 11:19 AM:

" Here's a link to the drawings of the suspect and his boat

http://www.sbcounty.gov/sheriff/publicaffairs/wanted_persons/070310%20Colorado%20River%20Station%20Boating%20Fatality%20Flyer%201.pdf "

Nick_Danger wrote on Jul 9, 2010 12:38 PM:

" Better late then never,, I just called the channel 10 phoinex news and asked them why nothing ever gets said about things that happen in Parker and Lake Havasu
told them the cops are still looking for the boat and the driver ,, so they will be airing all about it today, never know that killer could be from phoenix and someone might know him or hear about it in the future ...
> I drive and operate any boat for any of my friends when they come here so they can have fun and party and everyone that comes here should have a friend that will do the same !!!! condolences to the family "

WeLuvEric wrote on Jul 7, 2010 1:53 PM:

" Please help find the people that did this to my brother-in-law. Please...if for nothing else, for his 7 year old son. "

77rvrrat wrote on Jul 6, 2010 1:50 PM:

" I pray they find the SOB that killed this poor man. I hope he suffers everyday of his life for doing this and not owning up to the "accident". What a selfish soul. My warm thoughts and, prayers go out to his family and friends in this difficult time. Have faith that these people will pay in one way or another. May light and love shine upon you. "

ttracy wrote on Jul 6, 2010 1:40 PM:

" My thoguhts and prayers go out to this guys family and friends. This is so horrible. Hey owner of the red boat, If you're reading this, please do the right thing and turn yourself in. This guys family needs some peace. God Bless! "

HavasuLakeLady wrote on Jul 6, 2010 11:51 AM:

" I could not believe it when I read the comment dated 7/6 that someone would just immediately blame the SBCSD for not finding the boat that left the scene of this horrific incident. I just happen to know that they responded to all calls immediately and have continued to look for the hit and run boat. But I guess after thinking about the comment (no name,of course) and remembering that he/she couldn't even spell properly, it makes sense that someone with that mentality would say something like that. I know that our hearts here go out to that family and our prayers are with them. "

comments wrote on Jul 6, 2010 6:20 AM:

" Just Cant Belive that this guy just drives away and the SBCSD cant find this guy/boat....

SBCSD just failed big time on this

Nobody got the boats Reg numbers..
maybe law enforcement should be making sure that these boats & PWC have there number visable correctly
I have seen boats that have small or no Reg numbers or there painted as not to see them..

Just like all cars & trucks that drive around here without license plates.
it is the law..
wake up people "

comments wrote on Jul 6, 2010 6:10 AM:

" Just terrable...Prayers & Blessing
to the Family "

spinborn wrote on Jul 5, 2010 10:57 PM:

" I'm praying for my dear friend and her family during this time of mourning the loss of her stepson. He was such a nice guy. "

2010graduate wrote on Jul 5, 2010 9:19 PM:

" We are so sorry about your lose! I hope they find that boat he shouldnt have left! "

tamtam wrote on Jul 5, 2010 3:48 PM:

" It is unbelievable that these so called people could just up and take off knowing what had just happened. Lets just hope and pray that thier conscious catchs up to them and they do the right thing if not for themselves but for the victim and his family. My heart and prays go out to the Norris family. "

jenniemcneely wrote on Jul 5, 2010 10:32 AM:

" Oh please find this guy that killed my cousin. I am begging you. PLEASE! Thankyou from the bottom of my heart! "

StefanyNH wrote on Jul 5, 2010 7:24 AM:

" Eric was an amazing guy. He was sweet, thoughtful, funny and caring. He touched people's hearts even when he didn't know them. I work next door to Eric and everyday he brought a smile to my face and the children I work with. This is an awful thing to happen to such a young man and my prayers go out to his family. Our motorcycle guy will be missed dearly and will forever remain in my heart. "

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