On 7/7/13 at approximately 3:00 PM, I was notified by ISP of a boat accident on Lake Petersburg with injuries.  I arrived at the scene at approximately 3:30 PM.  Menard County Sherriff''s Deputy informed me two injured persons had been taken to St. Johns hospital in Springfield by Menard County EMS and then directed me to the driver and a witness.

The boat operator advised he was pulling his son and grandaughter on the tube and his wife and other grandaughter  were observers.  He stated he began making the turn to come back into his dock, but Subject raised his arm indicating he wanted to tube longer.  At that point Operator1 stated he gave it more throttle as they finished the turn, allowing the tube to sweep wide to his right.  The tube then hit a boat that was docked and on a lift at his neighbors house.  It was unclear if the two tubers hit only the boat, or if they also hit the column of the lift.  Occupant then made the 911 call.

Operator1 also stated he was not watching the tube as maybe he should have, but was wanting to watch in front for other boats.  He filled out a statement form later.  He also stated he had not been drinking.  I asked him if he would be willing to consent to a breath alcohol test, which he did with CPO, showing a BAC of .ooo.     

I then interviewed an independent witness who gave a similar account of the accident and filled out a statement form, while CPO took pictures of both vessels and the tube.  Operator1 and I then went back down to the his boat and I completed a boat safety inspection and found that he did not have the type IV throwable PFD, fire extinguisher, and covered battery terminal, as required.

A neighbor then informed us that Operator1''s wife had been trying to reach him and that victim1 was being flown to St. Louis Children''s Hospital.  At that point I informed him I would be contacting him to give him an Illinois Boat Accident Report form and get any further information I may need.

CPO and I cleared the scene at approximately 4:30 PM.  

On 4/10/13 at approximately 1:30 PM, I met with Operator1, gave him the boat accident report, and issued him citation for Careless Operation of a Watercraft, and written warning for PFD violation (no type IV), no fire extinguisher, and no covered battery.  I also advised him of his mandatory court date on 8/22/13.
Petersburg