Man killed in Catalina Island boat crash ID'd as son of former 49ers CEO

CATALINA ISLAND (KABC) -- A man killed in a crash between a boat and a dinghy in the waters off Catalina Island Sunday afternoon was identified by family members as Michael Harris, son of former San Francisco 49ers CEO Peter Harris.

Harris, 26, was pronounced dead at the scene, three were injured and a fifth person was missing after a dinghy carrying the group collided with a boat near Descanso Bay at about 1:20 a.m., U.S. Coast Guard Spokeswoman SondraKay Kneen said.

Watchstanders at the Coast Guard Sector of Los Angeles Long Beach Command Center received a report from a witness informing them about the deadly crash.

A helicopter crew from the Los Angeles County Fire Department transported the three injured boaters to Harbor-UCLA Medical Center. Two of the boaters suffered minor injuries, and the third suffered a head injury, Kneen said.

The Coast Guard launched a 45-foot Response Boat, a Medium boatcrew from Coast Guard Station Los Angeles, and a MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Los Angeles to assist the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Avalon Station in search efforts for the fifth passenger. By nightfall, the Coast Guard suspended the search for the missing person until Monday morning.

One of the injured victims is Harris' girlfriend Kelly Wells, according to the Harris family, who posted the news about Harris' death on their Facebook pages. Wells is expected to make a full recovery.

Harris' brothers, David and Richard, said he was supportive and provided strength during tough times, and the two were lucky to have had him as a sibling.

Family members said they are not sure what exactly happened to cause the crash, but said Harris was enjoying his weekend out in Catalina.

"We know that he was having a very fun time with his friends, fishing and enjoying the water and being happy people," David said.

Harris had just started as a high school counselor at his Alma Mater in Northern California. The brothers said they will remember their sibling as someone who lived life to the fullest.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Sector Los Angeles Long Beach Command Center at (310) 521-3801.