Fatal Boating Accident Claims Local Life at Town Creek Cove; Second Heartbreaking Water Fatality of 2026
- Elisa Ballard
- Jun 20
- 4 min read
Shasta County, CA — A 47-year-old Palo Cedro man died Thursday evening after the boat he was on struck the shoreline at Town Creek Cove on the Sulanharas Creek Arm (formerly known as the Squaw Creek Arm) of Shasta Lake, ejecting three people into the water.
According to a Shasta County Sheriff’s Office media release, at approximately 5:21 p.m. on June 18, 2026, the single-vessel boating collision threw Vingenzo “Vinnie” Anthony Colletti, an adult woman, and a juvenile from the boat. (Official reports list the name as Vingenzo Anthony Colletti; he was known locally and to family as Vinnie.) Good Samaritans on a nearby civilian vessel responded immediately, pulling the victims from the water and transporting them to Bridge Bay Marina (approximately 5-8 miles by water). Colletti and the juvenile were then taken to a local hospital. Colletti was pronounced dead there. The juvenile was treated for injuries. The adult woman’s condition was not reported as life-threatening.
Eyewitness accounts shared on social media indicate that Colletti initially appeared responsive after being pulled aboard the rescue boat, but then became unresponsive. Fellow boaters performed CPR for 15–20 minutes en route to the marina, with efforts continuing under paramedics’ supervision until he was transported by ambulance. He was pronounced deceased at the hospital.
The juvenile was believed to have been wearing a personal flotation device (PFD/life jacket) at the time of the collision; the two adults were not. Deputies from the Sheriff’s Office Boating Safety Unit responded to investigate. The cause of the collision remains under investigation by the Boating Safety Unit and the Shasta County Coroner’s Office; a postmortem examination is scheduled. Case #SCSO26-003048.
Earlier Tragedy This Year on Shasta Lake
This is the second fatal water incident on Lake Shasta in 2026. On April 6, a 5-year-old boy drowned at Turntable Bay after entering the water without a life jacket. His parents were attempting to get him into a PFD when he went under. A multi-agency search involving the Sheriff’s Dive Team recovered the child. Authorities again urged strict adherence to life-jacket requirements for children.
Historical Context and Comparisons
Lake Shasta, a large and popular Northern California reservoir, experiences variable numbers of boating-related fatalities from year to year. Some years record zero deaths; others see clusters tied to factors such as lack of PFD use, operator error, speed, inattention, impairment, or sudden hazards in coves and arms.
Notable past incidents include:
2017: Three child deaths in a short period (including a 7-year-old girl struck by a personal watercraft, a 12-year-old boy struck by a boat, and a 7-year-old who drowned while his family tried to start a houseboat). This cluster prompted officials and the public to “rack their brains” for solutions and renewed safety emphasis.
2022: Two drownings within about a week, leading the Boating Safety Unit to issue specific tips on prevention.
December 2025: Two boats collided near Packers Bay Inlet; three people suffered moderate to major (non-life-threatening) injuries. None of the 10 passengers were wearing life jackets, though safety gear was aboard.
Single-vessel collisions with fixed objects (shoreline, rocks, or islands/points in coves) are a recognized category in boating accident data. They often stem from operator factors rather than vessel-to-vessel contact. The large size of Shasta Lake, variable winds, and recreational traffic contribute to the environment where such incidents can occur.
State and national data (California Division of Boating and Waterways and U.S. Coast Guard) consistently show that a high percentage of boating fatalities involve drowning after ejection or falling overboard, with the majority of victims not wearing PFDs. Alcohol involvement is also a recurring factor in many fatal incidents statewide when operators are tested.
Safety Reminder from Authorities
The Shasta County Sheriff’s Office Boating Safety Unit, based at Bridge Bay Resort, continues enforcement and education efforts on Lake Shasta. Their message following this tragedy is clear: “The Shasta County Sheriff’s Office encourages the public to always have proper safety equipment while on waterways and to always wear a Personal Flotation Device.”
Life jackets must fit properly and be worn — not just carried — especially by children and non-swimmers. Other best practices include maintaining a proper lookout, operating at safe speeds for conditions (particularly in coves and near shore), avoiding impairment, and ensuring all passengers know emergency procedures.
The Boating Safety Unit investigates incidents like this one and works year-round with partners including CAL FIRE and the U.S. Forest Service to respond to emergencies on the lake.
Vingenzo “Vinnie” Colletti’s next of kin have been notified. The community is mourning the loss of the local resident. The investigation remains active; updates will be provided as available.
Shasta Unfiltered extends condolences to the Colletti family and all those affected. We will continue monitoring the investigation and any additional details released by authorities.
Sources: Shasta County Sheriff’s Office media release (June 19, 2026); contemporaneous reporting from KRCR, Action News Now, and KDRV; public eyewitness accounts; historical coverage from Record Searchlight and prior SCSO releases.
