On 07-13-2013 at approximately 4:30 P.M., Operator and Occupant were cruising on a personal watercraft on Lake Shelbyville, Moultrie county.  They were travelling south towards the railroad bridge when Operator observed a large wave.  

Operator slowed the PWC prior to making contact with the wave.  As the PWC made contact with the wave the PWC rolled ejecting Operator and Occupant.  When Occupant surfaced, the PWC rolled again striking her on the head.  Occupant was wearing a lifejacket however suffered a severe laceration above her left eye. Operator who was also wearing a lifejacket was not injured.

Operator came to her aid along with a family member of Operators who was riding a PWC in the same area.  Operator assisted Occupant until a boat arrived. occupant was loaded onto Operator''s boat and transported to Findlay Marina.  Occupant was then transported by ambulance to St. Mary''s Hospital in Decatur.

At approximately 7:00 P.M., I CPO was notified of the boat accident.  I drove to St. Mary''s hospital.  I arrived at the hospital at approximately 7:38 P.M.  I made contact with Operator and Occupant.  Occupant was waiting for a doctor to treat her head injury.  Operator and Occupant both admitted they had been drinking alcohol prior to the accident.  Three hours had passed since the accident.  As I spoke with Operator, at this time I did not believe she was intoxicated.  Operator and Occupant explained what had happened.  I completed some preliminary boat accident information then took photo''s of Occupant''s injury.  I provided Operator with a boat accident report and explained she needed to complete the form and return it to the D.N.R. within 5 days.  

I thanked them for thier cooperation and resumed patrol.  No enforcement action taken.
Findlay