Three injured, one seriously, after boats collide at Shasta Lake

March 26, 2021 Trevor Montgomery

SHASTA LAKE, Calif. — Three people were injured, including one who sustained major injuries and remains hospitalized, after a boating accident involving two vessels that collided Wednesday afternoon, March 24.

The accident, which was not caused by impairment according to officials, happened on the Pit Arm of Shasta Lake west of Arbuckle Flat Campground.

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Deputies assigned to the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office Boating Safety Unit responded to reports of the collision shortly before 1 p.m., Shasta County Sheriff’s Sergeant Caleb MacGregor later reported.

During their subsequent investigation, deputies determined the first vessel, operated by John Stevenson, was traveling westbound on the lake approaching a blind corner, approximately 100 feet from the shoreline.

At the same time, the second boat, operated by Martin Stapley with a passenger aboard, was traveling eastbound, directly into the path of the other boat; which was not yet visible due to the blind corner.

“Upon seeing one another, both operators took evasive action to avoid (a) collision; however, in the same direction, mirroring the action of one another, ultimately resulting in a collision between the two vessels,” MacGregor explained.

As a result of the collision, Stapley was knocked unconscious and sustained major injuries; while Stevenson and Stapley’s passenger sustained minor injuries.

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Another recreational boater and good Samaritan in the area who witnessed the collision rushed over to the scene of the crash and began rendering medical aid and comfort to Stapley and his passenger.

Both Stapley and his passenger were eventually transferred to the good Samaritan’s boat and transported to the Jones Valley Boat Ramp.

Stevenson, who was still able to operate his damaged boat, also drove to the Jones Valley Boat Ramp.

Stapley was transported to an area hospital, where he is currently listed in stable condition.

Anyone having witnessed this incident is encouraged to contact the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office Boating Safety Unit at (530) 245-6075. Callers can refer to incident file number 21S009593 and can remain anonymous.

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Contact the writer: [email protected]

Trevor Montgomery, 49, moved in 2017 to the Intermountain area of Shasta County from Riverside County and runs Riverside County News Source (RCNS) and Shasta County News Source (SCNS).

Additionally, he writes or has written for several other news organizations; including Riverside County-based newspapers Valley News, Valley Chronicle, Anza Valley Outlook, and Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle; the Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County; and Mountain Echo in Shasta County. He is also a regular contributor to Thin Blue Line TV and Law Enforcement News Network and has had his stories featured on news stations throughout the Southern California and North State regions.

Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg, breaking his back, and suffering both spinal cord and brain injuries in an off-duty accident. (Click here to see segment of Discovery Channel documentary of Trevor’s accident.)

During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations; including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center, and Lake Elsinore Station; along with other locations.

Trevor’s assignments included Corrections, Patrol, DUI Enforcement, Boat and Personal Water-Craft based Lake Patrol, Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement, Problem Oriented Policing Team, and Personnel/Background Investigations. He finished his career while working as a Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigator and was a court-designated expert in child abuse and child sex-related crimes.

Trevor has been married for more than 30 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and his “fluid family” includes 13 children and 18 grandchildren.