Operator and surviving passengers report that on May 5th, 2012, they were aboard a 24’ Baja Islander (LA 7885 FK) as they traveled at a heading of approximately 40’, at a reported speed of “about 15-20 miles per hour, generally from Blind River toward the mouth of the Tickfaw River in Lake Maurepas, in Livingston Parish, La.
Operator, 30, identified himself as the operator of the vessel. Collectively the operator and the two surviving passengers report that at approximately 6:00pm the Operator’s brother, jumped purposefully from the stern of the vessel as another passenger, Occupant2 acted as a “lookout”. Operator’s brother surfaced and he and Occupant2 watched as the third passenger, Occupant3 jumped feet first from the stern of the vessel while holding his nose. According to Occupant2 and Operator’s brother, Occupant3 did not resurface. The men searched diligently for Occupant3 but found no sign of him. Waves were choppy with whitecaps being somewhat common. Winds were blowing at approximately 10-15 miles per hour. These conditions made the search more difficult.
Agents arrived on the scene at approximately 6:42pm and were quickly briefed by the men. A U.S. Coast Guard patrol vessel and patrol vessels from other local law enforcement agencies were also on the scene participating in search and rescue efforts.
Sgt. advised Operator of his legal rights as per Miranda and spoke with him about the day’s events. Operator told Sgt. that they had all consumed a “few drinks”. Sgt. and other agents observed that Operator and his passengers were notably upset with the situation but didn’t note that anyone appeared to be obviously intoxicated. Blood samples from Operator and Occupant3 were later collected and subsequently submitted to the LSP crime lab. Results of those tests indicate that Operator’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was 0.0g% at the time of his test. Results indicate that Occupant3’s BAC was 0.15g% at the time of his death.
On May 7th, 2012 at approximately 7:30am a pilot from the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office located Occupant3’s remains in Lake Maurepas. LDWF and LPSO personnel retrieved Occupant3 from the waters at, or very near grid coordinates 30’17.968Nx90’32.458W. Occupant3’s remains were released to the Livingston Parish Coroner.
Appropriate PFD’s were on board but not used. Alcohol is believed to have been a factor in this incident.

CARTHAGE BLUFF                