A heartbreaking tragedy for a San Bernardino family has led to a warning about drinking and driving a boat.
SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.
A heartbreaking tragedy for a San Bernardino family has led to a warning about drinking and driving a boat. Kayra and Jose Granados held on to a poster of their 13-year-old daughter. Two weeks ago, Guadalupe Granados was killed while vacationing with her family on the Colorado River in Arizona. It was a life cut short after the teen, her 8-year-old sister, Alexis, and a family friend were hit by a 20-foot ski boat while riding on a jet ski. Young Alexis Granados said her sister saved her life after she threw her in the water before the boat approached them. Guadalupe Granados, however, took a direct hit. The youngest daughter fractured her arm in seven places and required emergency surgery to save her arm. Their family friend remained hospitalized with a punctured lung. The man behind the wheel of the boat, 42-year-old Kevin Morgan, was arrested. The Long Beach man was charged with operating a watercraft while intoxicated. He may also face manslaughter charges, officials said. The couple wanted law enforcement to crack down on drinking and boating. The family said police are not paying enough attention to how much drinking is going on in the water and added driving a boat is just as dangerous as driving a car. The family chose to go to the river a week before the Fourth of July to avoid some of the dangerous boating practices they've seen while visiting the area before. A GoFundMe account was set up to help pay for funeral expenses. The funds will also go towards Alexis' medical bills not covered by insurance. The Granados say while their daughter is slowly recovering physically, it's her emotional wellbeing they are concerned about. "At 8 years old, she is completely traumatized by what she saw and blames herself. She asks,'Why not me, why my sister?" the victim's mother said of the surviving sibling. The funeral for Guadalupe Granados was expected to be held at the San Bernardino Mission Chapel. Her family said she was to be buried in her quincenera dress.