SAN DIMAS >> A 64-year-old Los Angeles man died Saturday in a speedboat crash during a racing event on the Puddingstone Lake in San Dimas, authorities said.
Gregory Wayne Belda was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, which took place about 11 a.m. at Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park, 120 Via Verde, Los Angeles County Department of Coroner Investigator Betsy Magdaleno. An autopsy was scheduled Sunday to determine exactly how he died.
The crash took place during a the 5th Annual Lake Puddingstone Sprint Boat Races.
“During one of the events, the lead boat lost control,” Lt. Denise Stephenson of the sheriff’s Parks Services and County Services bureaus said. “The boar traveling directly behind it collided into it.”
Belda was driving the lead boat, Stephenson added.
A man driving the second boat involved in the crash was taken to a hospital for treatment of minor injuries, the lieutenant added.
The cause of the crash was being investigated by the Los Angeles County Fire Department Lifeguard Division, Stephenson said. Nothing criminal was initially suspected.
Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation officials have reported 15 watercraft-related fatalities since 1968.
Three women lost their lives there in an Oct. 15, 2011, watercraft crash.
Anesia Bautista, 47, of Glendora, Maricon Abello, 34, of San Diego and Aurora Yeso, 53, of the Philippines, died after the Sea-Doo personal watercraft they were riding collided with a 21-foot speedboat, officials said.
The remainder of the weekend races were cancelled following the fatal mishap, Stephenson said.
The races were scheduled to take place Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to dusk, according to park officials and the event Facebook page.
Race organizers could not be reached for comment Sunday.
Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park was open Sunday, however the lake itself was closed, Stephenson said. The lake was expected to reopen for public access Monday.