Former New Zealand radio announcer Michael Haslam, 42, has been killed by a powerboat in the United States two weeks short of his second wedding anniversary.
Police said the driver, John Faulk, 26, of Montgomery, Alabama, had been drinking before his 6m boat ran over a larger, lower boat on Saturday, crushing its passengers and killing Mr Haslam.
Captain Bob Huffaker of the Alabama Marine Police said Faulk - who was later released on bail - was charged with "boating under the influence".
Mr Haslam, who had a 21-month-old son in the US and two children in New Zealand, was to celebrate the second anniversary of his marriage on July 15.
Mr Haslam was raised in Dunedin. He worked as a radio announcer in Dunedin, Queenstown and Ashburton, before driving trucks in Australia. He had lived in the US for three years.
Brother Tony, a Dunedin chartered accountant, said Michael Haslam was very outgoing - "a thoroughly nice character" - and made friends easily.
- OTAGO DAILY TIMES, NZPA
Drunk boatie kills NZ man
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