Louisiana Man Arrested for DWI on the Water Following a Two-Vessel Collision

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries reported on October 11, 2022, that agents arrested a Violet, Louisiana man for allegedly operating or driving a vessel while impaired (DWI) after a two-vessel boating incident in St. Bernard Parish on October 4.

Kevin Diaz, 53, was arrested for DWI after being involved in a two-vessel boating incident and placed in the St. Bernard Parish Jail.

At around 8 a.m., agents received information about a vessel collision with no injuries near Bayou La Loutre. on October 4. At the scene, the operators were contacted and interviewed. Agents determined Diaz was impaired during the course of the inquiry.

The consequences for DWI on the water are the same as they are for driving a car. Anyone arrested for DWI on the water or on the road will lose his or her driver’s license and boating rights for the duration of the case, as directed by the judge.

Driving or operating a vessel while impaired (DWI) is punishable by a $300 to $1,000 fine and up to six months in jail.

Cpl. Gary Levron, Agent Heather Fitzgerald, Sgt. Kyle Wagner, and Senior Agent Salvador Mangano are the agents involved in the case. The case will be referred to District Attorney Perry Nicosia’s office for prosecution.

An arrest is an indication that probable cause exists to believe the subject was involved in the offense alleged. A person is innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.