KMAX: News of the West

PHOENIX (AP) A hit-and-run jet boat crash on the Colorado River killed three Orange County, Calif., residents while the Los Angeles County, Calif., driver of a second speedboat was jailed Sunday for investigation of a felony.

Grier D. Rush, who owns the Rush Performance boat company in Maywood, surrendered to Arizona authorities for investigation of leaving the scene of a fatal boat collision. He was held in lieu of $1 million bail.

The accident took place about 6:30 p.m. Friday near Rio Lindo Shores, an area where the Colorado River separates California and Arizona near Parker, La Paz County sheriff's Sgt. Steve Bennett, said Sunday.

Rush, 62, was at the wheel of one of his boats, along with two passengers, when he crossed paths with a Sanger jet boat carrying driver Jonathan Herbert, 21, of Laguna Hills, his sister, Jacquel Herbert, her boyfriend, Josh Rogers, and Ashley Rollins, all 18, were passengers. Rogers and Rollins are from Mission Viejo.

The 20-foot jet boat split in half on impact and then sank, according to Buckskin fire Capt. Rich Gilbank. The young women were pronounced dead at a nearby hospital. Herbert's body was found by divers.

Rogers was in critical condition at a Phoenix hospital. His grandparents, whom he lived with, were with him.

The brother and sister, their parents, Wayne and Jana Herbert, and several friends, including Rollins' parents, went to the Red Rock Resort to attend a V-drive powerboat event, a regular gathering of speedboat enthusiasts.

Rush and his passengers were unhurt. He returned to Arizona when he learned an arrest warrant was issued.

His passenger, Steve Shoop, 44, of Minnesota, also fled, but returned to talk with authorities. Passenger Don Kramer, 53, of Norco, waited on shore. Arizona does not penalize passengers who leave accident scenes.

Rush and Herbert were not racing each other at the time, said sheriff's Sgt. Alan Nelson, who is investigating the crash. Their speeds at the time of the collision were not known, he said.

``This is probably one of the worst accidents I have seen in 27 years,'' Nelson said.

Both boats have been confiscated for the investigation.

Jacquel, nicknamed ``J Star,'' had just graduated from Laguna Hills High School. She loved the ocean and planned to join the U.S. Navy, said her friend Lacey Thompson. She had just started dating Rogers.

Jonathan, nicknamed ``Little Jon,'' had run a car-detailing business since he was 16. He enjoyed off-road motorcycling and was about to open a new car company with a friend.

``On the jumps, he'd go higher and faster than anyone else,'' Scott Marks, 18, of Laguna Hills, said. He added that Jonathan treated him like a younger brother.