Coast Guard member exonerated in fatal crash in San Diego Bay

A Coast Guard member has been exonerated of dereliction of duty for his alleged role in a Dec. 20 crash in San Diego Bay that killed an 8-year-year-old boy, the Coast Guard announced Wednesday.

The charge against Petty Officer Lavelle M. Teague was found to be unsupported by the facts after a hearing presided over by Capt. Stephen Metruck, chief of staff of the 11th Coast Guard District. Metruck made the decision.

The hearing, known informally as a captain's mast, involves evidence being presented. No other charges were pending against Teague.

Teague was the engineer on a boat that collided with a civilian craft during the annual Parade of Lights. Anthony DeWeese was killed, and six people on board the civilian craft were hurt.

Three other Coast Guard members face more serious charges at courts-martial.

--Tony Perry in San Diego