Keys captain faces charges in boat crash

KEY LARGO, Fla., Nov. 18 (UPI) -- Officials in the Florida Keys say they are charging the skipper of a pleasure boat for allegedly crashing his vessel into a channel marker.

The Miami Herald said Tuesday that Gregg Glausen of Key Largo, Fla., was arrested overnight on charges including leaving the scene of a boat accident and would be formally charged this week.

The newspaper said Glausen gathered up his yellow Labrador retriever and swam to safety, leaving his three passengers, including a 7-year-old girl, to fend for themselves.

"The girls said the driver had been drinking. That's probably why he left the scene," said Bobby Dube, a spokesman for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Dube said Glausen later called him and denied being intoxicated.

Glausen was at the helm of a 24-foot vessel Saturday night when it hit a steel channel marker at around 30 miles per hour, sending all on board and the dog into the water.

The incident occurred just a few yards from shore and a passing boat picked up the passengers, who were treated for various cuts and bruises.