On october 5, 2012 at approximately 2:47am, wildlife officers were notified by raleigh dispatch of a boating accident that occurred at wrightsville beach.  Upon arrival, contact was made with operator2 who was the operator of vessel 2.
 
Operator2 stated that he was traveling north n banks channel when he struck another vessel.  Upon impact, the two occupants from the other boat were thrown into the water.  The people that were in the water were struggling to stay afloat.  They were trying to get on top of vessel 1.  Operator2 jumped into the water to assist them.  Vessel 1 drifted south in the channel towards a moored vessel owned by another.  This person helped operator2 and the two occupants from vessel 1 into his boat to render first aid and also contacted the uscg station at wrightsville beach.
 
 at approximately 6:21am contact was made with operator1, the operator of vessel 1 at new hanover regional medical center.  Operator1 stated that he and several friends were hanging out on masonboro island.  He stated that at approximately 1:00am, he and a friend decided to head to one of the bars at wrightsville beach.  Operator1 drove via boat to the wrightsville beach public docks.  He and a friend stayed at the bar until approximately 1:45a.  Operator1 and his friend then walked back to the town docks where his boat was docked and then headed back to masonboro island.  He stated that shortly after leaving the dock, he struck another vessel while traveling south in banks channel.  Operator1 stated that he was talking with his passenger and never saw vessel 2 until just before impact.  Operator1 stated that after impact, his boat capsized and he and his passenger were ejected from the boat and landed in the water.  Operator1 stated that he and his passenger were assisted by the operator of vessel 2 after the accident.
 
Contact was made with a passenger on vessel 2 whose story coraborated with operator2's.
Contact was made with a witness who was fishing on the pier adjacent to the dock where vessel 1 was docked.  Witness stated that he saw the operator of vessel 1 practically drive up onto the dock and then strike the dock several times while he was attempting to back his boat away from the dock. 
Upon investigation by wildlife officers, it was revealed that both boats were traveling approximately 25 mph when the accident occurred.  Based on the damage to both vessels, it appeared that they hit head on.
Both passengers on vessel 1 were transported by ambulance to new hanover regional medical center for treatment of their injuries.  All three passengers on vessel 2 refused medical treatment at the accident scene.
 
Charges:
Vessel 1 was charged with boating while impaired and reckless operation of a motorboat.
Vessel 2 was charged with boating while impaired, reckless operation of a motorboat, possess alcohol by a 19 or 20 year old and use and possession of an id not belonging to him.

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH            