Thanks a lot to everyone for the prayers. I can't express how much they mean to me.
Walton's drowning is ruled accidental
By GREG MOBERLY, Times-Herald staff writer
SACRAMENTO - Sacramento police described the drowning of a Vallejo native as an accident, as his body was pulled from the Sacramento River late Monday morning and subsequently identified by family members.
Fred Walton, 36, was preparing to board a party cruise boat at about 11:30 p.m. Friday when he took one wrong step off a boarding plank and fell into the Sacramento River, police said.
Based on witness accounts, police say they suspect Walton may have been drinking alcohol prior to the accident. His family members continue to deny that.
"He was driving, and when he drives he doesn't drink," said Maisha Walton of Vallejo, the victim's 30-year-old niece. "He doesn't drink and drive."
One witness described the victim as being "loud and belligerent" while in line, said Sacramento Police Sgt. Justin Risley. There was a party aboard the boat, and many people were drinking, he added.
Maisha Walton said the reality of Walton's death was just setting in for relatives after the body was identified Monday.
She said her uncle was the "biggest personality" she ever knew. "(Walton) wanted to be a comedian," she said. "He was comical, loud, happy and lovable."
In the early 1990s, Walton served as a public address announcer for Vallejo High School basketball and football games.
Friday, the 36-year-old was preparing to board the Matthew McKinley boat for the singles boat cruise.
Ron Coursey has served as an organizer of the cruises which feature R&B and hip-hop music typically for adults 25 and up.
Coursey said he saw Walton take one foot off the boarding plank and fall about three or four feet into the water. He said he dove in the water after Walton, searching for about five minutes, but couldn't locate him in the murky water.
Walton's friend, identified by Coursey only as "Truck," searched the water for about 20 minutes but couldn't find him.
Coursey said he believes Walton hit his head on the side of the boat, knocking himself unconscious because others on the boat heard "a big bang noise" when Walton fell.
Coursey also said the boat was not oversold despite a contrary statement. He said he has never sold more tickets and allowed more on board than the boat's 150 capacity.