On 11/6/10 at 1910hrs i was dispatched to assist a boater that ran aground and was requesting assistance. I made my way to one of the islands north of the new waddel dam. Visibility was poor due to it being night time. I located the male subject and his party on an island north of the dam. I observed the 36 foot wellcraft was completely out of the water on top of the island. After checking the welfare of everyone and finding that no one was injured i took digital pictures of the watercraft. From where the watercraft hit and the resting area i estimated the watercraft speed of approx. 30-40mph. I then had everyone come aboard my patrol boat and transported them to the 10 lane boat ramp. I then asked the operator what had happened and he stated that he had been out on the lake all day and had come to the marina to pick up his wife and friend. They decided to make their way back to the marina from the west side of the lake following his gps that was onboard the watercraft he hit the island. He stated he was not able to see the island due to the fact that it was dark and there was no navigational lights mounted on the island. He stated he was confused because he was following the coordinates that he had entered into the gps on an earlier date and the coordinates had taken him away from the island when he entered it into the gps. while speaking to the operator i observed a smell of an intoxicating beverage. His eyes were blurry and he slurred his words. He stated that he had one magarita at 1100 hrs only. He agreed to field sobriety tests and failed the tests. He submited to a preliminary breath test and blew a .127%. Later on the intoxilyzer 8000 he blew a .111%. He was charged with 2 citations, 5-395.a1 and 5-395.a2. After receiving his citations i transported him back to the courtesy boat dock to meet his family. Nothing further at this time.
PEORIA                        