On august 11, 2011 at around 5:00pm, operator and his wife picked up two friends.  He was operating his vessel.  From this time till sunset they wake boarded.  operator says during this time he consumed 1 beer and 2 mixed liquor drinks.  They were heading back towards upper barton creek coming from the north at around 9:00pm.  At approximately 9:15pm they approached a left hand turn in the lake.  Operator did not make the turn until the very last second and struck the bank in a left turn. Where it hit was a large slopped rock area from below the waterline, up onto the bank.  The boat bounced up and over about 20 feet of rock and back into the water.  Sometime during the impact, all four passengers were ejected.  

Two passengers landed on the rocks on shore, operator and passenger were thrown into the water.  The operator swam back to the boat got it started and drove it over to the rocks where his friends were.  About this time, a boat came by and they flagged it down.  They dialed 911 and followed operator to the hwy 98 bridge where he contacted ems.  Two passengers and the operator were transported to duke univ hospital for treatment.  The operators drug screen was positive for benzodiazipine and a bac of 161mg/dl.  One passenger had a severe neck injury and broken hand.  Another had a fractured nose and lacerations to the face.

The accident happened on a clear night, with a full moon.  The operator is very experienced on boats and on falls lake.  I believe his impairment from the alcohol and benzo was the main factor in this accident.  He was charged with owi and also reckless and negligent operation so as to cause severe injury.  The boat had severe hull damage along the keel and right side of the hull, one tracking fin and large chunks of fiberglass and blue paint were found at the impact site.  Bent the prop and rudder as well, impact occurred at roughly 30 mph.

Bac levels were unknown for other occupants.

WAKE FOREST                   