Operator was operating LA 5594 FA in Choupique Bayou.  This vessel is a 14'0" aluminum with a tiller handle, 25 HP, outboard.  Operator was heading downstream, just west of the cement bridge at Highway 27.  Witnesses observed Operator idling by the camps.  Witnesses observed Operator take off, come up on step, and traveling at a high rate of speed.  While Operator was traveling at this speed, witnesses observed a crab basket fly up from the bow area of Operator's vessel.  Operator began attempting to grab the basket, while still on step.  Operator lost control of his vessel, and ran into the center piling of the bridge.  The impact threw Operator forward toward the bow of the vessel, knocking him unconscious.  The vessel then began going in circles, with the engine still running.  For this to have occurred, Operator could not have been wearing his ignition safety switch.  The vessel continued to circle.  Operator regained consciousness, and was able to turn off the motor.  Witnesses then assisted Operator to shore and called 911.  Acadian Ambulance transported Operator to St. Patricks Hospital in Lake Charles.  Operator suffered a broken right collarbone, fractured pelvis, and two fractured vertebrae in his lower back.  Witnesses stated that Operator had on a Type III PFD.  There were no other PFD's in the vessel..  There was no evidence of alcohol or drugs within the vessel.  Blood was drawn from Operator to determine if intoxicants were present.  Operator was charged with the following: 
34:851.24 - Fail to comply with tiller outboard engine cutoff and 34:51.4 - Careless Operation.    Citation
Carlyss