On 7-1-2011 at approximately 8:30 pm, V-1 a runabout with 6 occupants, departed Sinclair's Restaurant on Lake Martin, headed to a residence in the Parker Creek area.  At approximately 8:40 pm, V-2, a pontoon boat with 2 occupants, departed the Willow Creek area headed towards Dennis Creek.  At appx. 8:50 pm V-1 struck V-2 on the forward part of starboard side and continued running down the side until it reached the rear starboard area of V-2.  The collision injured 5 people.

Marine Police arrived on scene at 9:05 pm and secured the scene and the operator of V-1. A passing vessel assisted with transporting the injured victims to shore treatment and transport to the hospital. Additional AMP units arrived on scene and assisted with towing the vessels and remaining passengers to shore.

Several factors contributed to this accident. According to statements made by passengers on his vessel and by BAC samples that were taken, it appears that the operator of V-1 was intoxicated (his BAC was .225 two hours after the accident) at the time of the accident. The operator of V-1 also did not follow the navigation rules of the road as he was travelling on the left side of the channel instead of the right. V-1 also did not have a stern light in place at the time of the accident. It was located on the deck under the rear seat after the incident. V-1's operator was also not wearing an emergency cut-off switch, which contributed to the injuries sustained by a 14 year passenger. Moments after the collision, the 14 year old fell from the vessel and was struck by the propeller.
Eclectic                      