Charges Filed in Fatal Sitka Boat Tragedy

James Sturm, a 45-year-old resident of Sitka, was arrested on February 19 and faces serious charges, including manslaughter and felony assault, related to a tragic boat sinking that claimed the lives of two young men. The incident occurred on January 9, 2024, when Sturm allegedly operated a 26-foot vessel while intoxicated, leading to its capsizing near Khaz Point, close to Chichagof Island.

Details of the Incident

According to an investigation by Alaska state troopers, Sturm was navigating the boat with five other Sitka residents aboard when it overturned in treacherous conditions. The U.S. Coast Guard reported that the rescue operation took place amid nine-foot seas, with air temperatures at 31 degrees and water temperatures at 44 degrees. Sturm and two other passengers were successfully rescued by a helicopter crew from the U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Sitka.

Tragically, the bodies of 18-year-olds Darren Borbridge and Sayer Tuzon were discovered in the cabin of the submerged vessel. However, adverse weather conditions hindered immediate recovery efforts. At the time of the incident, the group was returning from a hunting trip on Chichagof Island, located approximately 40 miles northwest of Sitka. Reports indicate that Tuzon was set to graduate high school that year, while Borbridge was preparing to welcome his first child.

Pilot Reported Arriving Containership’s Captain Appeared to be Intoxicated

Legal Proceedings and Community Impact

Following the incident, Sturm was indicted by a grand jury in Sitka on February 19. He was taken into custody without incident and subsequently arraigned the following day. A cash appearance bond was established at $50,000. The charges against Sturm reflect the severity of the incident and the community’s grief over the loss of two promising young lives.

The Sitka community has been deeply affected by this tragedy, as friends and family mourn the loss of Borbridge and Tuzon. Local media, including KCAW radio, have highlighted the impact of the incident, emphasizing the potential futures that were cut short. As the legal proceedings unfold, the case serves as a somber reminder of the dangers associated with boating under the influence and the profound consequences that can arise from such actions.