LAKE COUNTY — The Lake County Sheriff”s Office is investigating a fatal boating incident that occurred on Lake Pillsbury.
On Monday at approximately 9:45 p.m., sheriff”s deputies responded to the Lake Pillsbury Resort to investigate a reported drowning. As deputies were en-route to Lake Pillsbury, Sheriff”s dispatch received further information that the victim had actually been struck by a boat. Deputies with the Sheriff”s Marine Patrol Unit were called out to respond as well to investigate.
When deputies arrived at the Lake Pillsbury Resort, they located the victim, later identified as Gary Anthony Archer, 55, of Santa Rosa, lying on the dock of the resort surrounded by rescue personnel and witnesses. A doctor from the bay area who was vacationing at the resort had already pronounced Archer dead.
Deputies learned that Archer was waterskiing behind a Glasstron GT 150 powerboat, operated by Christian John Speckman, 39, of San Francisco. Speckman reportedly maneuvered the boat toward the lake”s shoreline with Archer in tow. Speckman apparently made a sharp turn before reaching the shoreline with the intent that Archer would release the ski line and glide into shore. Somehow, Archer was struck by the boat while he was still in the water.
Several key witnesses who were either friends or relatives of Archer apparently left the area prior to the deputies” arrival to respond to Santa Rosa and console his relatives. Deputies contacted those witnesses in order to determine the exact cause of the fatal incident.
The investigation is ongoing.
