Malta man charged in connection with Saratoga Lake boat death

A Malta man is charged with criminally negligent homicide in the July 4 boating death of Ian Gerber. Blake Heflin, 19, is accused of operating his boat while intoxicated when he hit Gerber.

Saratoga sheriff’s deputies say Gerber had jumped off Heflin’s boat while it was moving. The boat hit Gerber, severing his left arm.

The deputies say, as he turned around to pick Gerber back up, Gerber was then struck by another boat.

Heflin was arraigned Thursday afternoon and released.