Son of former 49ers' CEO, 26, is killed in late-night boat crash that injured three others including his girlfriend

  • Michael Harris, 26, died after another boat hit the dingy he was in with four others off Santa Catalina Island Sunday
  • One of the boaters remains missing, Coast Guard said
  • Michael's father Peter Harris served as the 49ers' CEO for four years  
  • He said his son died 'while living his life as he did everyday, with kindness, friendship, love of family, caring for others, having fun'
  • The three injured boaters were flown to a hospital by helicopter, including Harris' girlfriend Kelly Wells 

The son of a former CEO of the 49ers has died in a boating collision off Santa Catalina Island in Southern California.

Michael Harris, whose father is Peter Harris, was killed when a dinghy that he was in with four others was hit by another boat near Descanso Bay around 1am on Sunday.

Three of the boaters were injured while a fourth is missing. 

Peter Harris, who served as CEO of the 49ers from 2000 to 2004, paid tribute to his 26-year-old son in a Facebook post on Sunday.

He said that Michael died 'while living his life as he did everyday, with kindness friendship, love of family, caring for others, having fun, being a friend, and as one of the really good guys'. 

Tragedy: Michael Harris (center), the son of former 49ers' CEO Peter Harris (left), was killed when a dinghy that he was riding in with four others was hit by another boat. His mother, Jan Johnston Harris, is on the right

Tragedy: Michael Harris (center), the son of former 49ers' CEO Peter Harris (left), was killed when a dinghy that he was riding in with four others was hit by another boat. His mother, Jan Johnston Harris, is on the right

Peter Harris wrote that Michael (above) died 'while living his life as he did everyday, with kindness friendship, love of family, caring for others, having fun, being a friend, and as one of the really good guys'

Peter Harris wrote that Michael (above) died 'while living his life as he did everyday, with kindness friendship, love of family, caring for others, having fun, being a friend, and as one of the really good guys'

Michael Harris (left) with his girlfriend, Kelly Wells, who was also involved in the accident

Michael Harris (left) with his girlfriend, Kelly Wells, who was also involved in the accident

He added that his son, who attended Santa Clara University and the University of San Diego, was an avid basketball player and had recently earned a master's degree in psychology. 

'This was a young man who was real, sincere, a great listener, always interested, warm, full of humor with the attendant laughter, who sincerely loved and prized family... who had a broad group of friends, old and knew he cared for greatly, who was embarking on a career in psychology he embraced with passion helping adolescents because it mattered, and who as he matured into a man was a gift to me as his dad.' 

Michael's mother Jan Johnston Harris, also took to Facebook to share the news about the passing of her son. 

Family photo: (l-r) Michael with his parents Peter and Jan and his two brothers Richard and David

Family photo: (l-r) Michael with his parents Peter and Jan and his two brothers Richard and David

Jan Johnston Harris wrote on Facebook that Michael (above) was an 'awesome' son

Jan Johnston Harris wrote on Facebook that Michael (above) was an 'awesome' son

Lucky: Jan Johnston Harris (second right) wrote on Facebook that she sent Michael (right) a message on Friday saying she was 'the luckiest Mom ever that he was my son and God gave him to us'

Lucky: Jan Johnston Harris (second right) wrote on Facebook that she sent Michael (right) a message on Friday saying she was 'the luckiest Mom ever that he was my son and God gave him to us'

'Michael was just an awesome son and brother that from the day he was born,' she wrote.

'He brought light and joy to all of us and continued to. 

'Just Friday I texted him that I was the luckiest Mom ever that he was my son and God gave him to us.' 

The other boaters injured in the collision include Michael Harris' girlfriend, Kelly Wells.

The Coast Guard said the three wounded boaters were flown by helicopter to Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center for treatment. 

The search for the missing boater was suspended on Sunday night.  

Graduate: Michael Harris (left) attended Santa Clara University and the University of San Diego. Above he is pictured with his girlfriend Kelly Wells (right)

Graduate: Michael Harris (left) attended Santa Clara University and the University of San Diego. Above he is pictured with his girlfriend Kelly Wells (right)

 

 

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