Preliminary report:  On 08/01/11 at approximately 7:30PM, a male operator and female passenger leave Sonny's Marina in a 17'' Stratos boat after having supper and splitting two pitchers of beer.  At Pt. 22 the operator turns the boat downstream and goes to full throttle.  Shortly after, operator takes his eyes off the water to look at the occupant in passenger seat and say something.  Operator has right hand on steering wheel, no hand on the throttle, and does not have kill switch lanyard attached.  Operator stated he thinks they hit a wake and he felt the steering wheel turn to the right sharply.  The operator's hand comes off the steering wheel and boat turns sharply to the right.  Both operator and passenger and ejected.  Passenger sustains severe injuries from being struck by propeller and skeg.  The boat continues running unoccupied turning circles to the right.  A pontoon boat with 4 adults and 2 small children approach and aid the two out of the water.  the pontoon boat takes victim and operator to Sonny's Marina.  Victim is transported by Washington County EMS to Johnson City Medical Center where she undergoes emergency sugery.  Operator has only minor injuries and does not want medical treatment.  Operator submits to having a blood sample taken at investigating officer''s request.
To date, victim has had left leg amputated and undergone multiple surgeries to remove infectious material.

JOHNSON CITY                  