This report details a boat accident that occurred at Holiday Shores Lake in Madison County, IL on June 19, 2010 @ 1:30A, resulting in one fatality. the victim drowned while attempting to retrieve articles that had been blown off the pontoon boat he was an occupant on. The boat operator and five individuals went for a boat ride during the early morning hours of June 19, 2010. The boat operator had consumed two beers prior to the accident however the deceased, and his wife, were intoxicated according to statements to Madison County Sheriff, by his wife immediately after the accident. At approximately 1:30A, a severe thunderstorm with lighting, strong winds and heavy rain approached. The boaters were on there way back to their dock when a strong gust of wind blew a container and some chairs off the pontoon boat into the water. The operator cut off the motor and drifted while three people voluntarily jumped in the water to retrieve the items that were blown off the pontoon boat. The operator and occupants remained on the pontoon boat. The swimmers discovered the wind had kicked up the waves which were estimated to be 2-3 feet tall and decided to return to the pontoon boat however the watercraft had drifted away. The operator of the pontoon boat tried to maneuver towards the swimmers to rescue those in the water by using the glow from the lighting strikes. subject1 was able to swim back to the watercraft and subject2 barely made it back to the watercraft. the victim was heard yelling for help but was unable to swim back to the watercraft and drowned. All three individuals in the water were swimmers and although life jackets were on the watercraft none were utilized. 

The operator was given a field sobriety test by Madison County Sheriff, . K. the operator was cooperative and agreed to do so. A horizontal gaze nystagmus test was conducted and the operator's eyes has smooth pursuit, no nystagmus at maximum deviation an to fod no onset prior to 45 degrees. the operator was also given the "walk and turn" test and was able to follow instructions accurately without stumbling. The "one leg stand: test was administered and again the operator passed the test with little effort. Officer indicated that there was no probable cause leading him to believe that the operator was intoxicated. operator declined to submit to a voluntary preliminary breath test. Officer also interviewed occupants shortly after the accident.

searchers of Team Waters Inc. were utilized to assist with the search for the victim. the divers located the body at approximately 2:41A in 20 ft of water and marked the spot with a buoy. GPS coordinates were N38 55.069'  W089 56.218'. the searchers and other search personnel dragged the location and was able to recover the body at 3:46A. the body was transported to Alton Memorial Hospital in Alton, Illinois were he was postively identified.
Edwardsville                  