Occupants and V1 were traveling south (downstream) on Glaze Creek. Operator stated there were 2 trees that had fallen down blocking part of the creek channel, the first one on the left side and the second was on the right side with about 20 yards in between them.  Operator stated when he went around the first tree, victim 2 fell over on him and pinned the throttle down and sent them into the trees where they struck small trees along the bank.  Operator stated he was going too fast even before victim 2 fell on him and that V1 wasn't turning very good.  Operator stated when they finally stopped, they were in the trees and victim 1 was hanging off the front of V1 with his head in the water and he was lying on his back; victim 2 was lying on top of some brush in the water on the port side with his head in the water and his back facing up.  Operator then got both victims back into V1 and performed CPR on both of them, got them breathing and called 911.  

Operator refused treated but was transported to the hospital by a deputy and voluntarily submitted to a blood/toxicology test.  The local hospital transfered victim 2 to UAMS Trauma center in Little Rock due to his condition.  On April 28, the Pulaski County Deputy Coroner advised us that victim 2 had passed away at 08:45am that morning.  An autopsy has been requested.

On 04-21-12 the Operator was given Miranda and interviewed.  He advised that they all had smoked marijuana about an hour before the accident and that victim 2 was the one who brought it and "rolled" it.  He also advised he had consumed 4 beers prior to the accident and that he also takes some prescription medication.  On 04-23-12 victim 1 was interviewed.  He stated he was kneeling down on the front deck looking toward the back of V1 and they had just gotten on plane and were leveled out; he then heard someone yell "Brush" and that was the last thing he remembered before waking up in the hospital.  He also stated he did not smoke marijuana with them while they were on the water, but that he and the operator had smoked some that morning around 08:00am.  He said he personally handed the operator 2 beers from the cooler and that he saw the operator get one of victim 2's mixed drinks from him; he said the cooler was close to the operator so it is possible he could have gotten more beer out of it without victim 1 knowing it.

Upon inspection of V1 it had a large hole ripped out of the port side of the bow and the trolling motor that was mounted on the bow was ripped off and missing.  V1's steering wheel was also broken off and missing.
BALD KNOB                     