V1 is a Lund fishing boat and had drifted down stream in the tailrace of Lake Sharpe and was travelling back up-stream to start another drift when it struck V2, V2 is a pontoon type deck boat.  The collision took place just below the handicap fishing pier on the Stanley County side of the tailrace.  V2 was drifting downstream while trolling slightly across the current with the starboard side facing downstream.
O1 on V1 never saw V2  before impact and never tried to make any evasive maneuvers before the bow of V1 struck the starboard bow side of V2.  P1 on V1 was sitting in the bow seat and upon impact, was ejected from the vessel.  O1 on V1 was thrown into the windshield of V1 and broke the windshield and cut his forehead.  P2 on V1 was sitting in the passenger seat on the port side behind the windshield and was uninjured.
O2 in V2 saw V1 about to impact V2 and heard someone yell 'look out'.  There were two other passengers on V2.  P1 in V2 was sitting on the starboard side of the bow just in front of the steering column.  P2 in V2 was sitting on the port side of the bow.  Both fishermen had broken lines and were trying to retie their lines at the time of the incident.
After impact P1 in V2 was struck in the back of his head and was knocked unconscious, he ended up in P2 of V2's lap.  V2 bow was pushed upstream to the port side as V1 glanced off of the bow. 
After the accident P1 of V1 was in the water and was pulled aboard V2 by O2 of V2, he was not wearing a lifejacket.  Both vessels were then driven to the Oahe Downstream Marina.  V1 was pulled into a slip at the courtesy docks and V2 was pulled up to the dock at the ramp.
(Insurance information was exchanged by the parties but no law enforcement was contacted so there is no information regarding the involvement of alcohol and/or drugs in causing or contributing to the accident except for phone conversations with all parties involved.)
FT PIERRE                     