Long Island man charged with manslaughter in boating fatality

FREEPORT (WABC) -- Police have arrested a Long Island man in a deadly boating accident that is being blamed on alcohol.

Fifty-three-year-old Raymond Balboa, of Baldwin, is charged with vehicular manslaughter after one of his passengers was struck by a boat propeller.

Authorities say Balboa was operating a 50-foot Sea Ray boat with approximately 10 to 14 people on board in Baldwin Bay off Freeport.

After stopping in the bay for a short time so the guests could go swimming, Balboa reportedly requested that everyone return to the boat. But police say he started the engines and began to navigate the boat while 34-year-old Cesar Hernandez-Rodas was still in the water.

He was struck by the propeller and suffered multiple lacerations to his lower extremities.

The victim was brought on board the boat, which moved to a nearby home. He was then transported by a Nassau County ambulance to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

During the investigation, it was determined that Balboa showed signs of intoxication. He was placed under arrest without incident.

In addition to the vehicular manslaughter charge, Balboa is charged operating a vessel while intoxicated and operating an unregistered vessel.