This is the accident that occurred on August 6th, 2011. The accident happened on Lake Houston. Houston Police Officer were on call this evening. They received the call from Sgt. at 2000 Hours instructing them to proceed to the accident scene and collect the necessary information for this report.

Complaint #1
Operator1 explained that he was operating vessel #1. Operator1 said that he was jumping the wake of a boat when he observed vessel #2 and it's two passengers (compl #2 and Witness #1) who had fallen from their PWC. Operator1 stated that he went to help the two back onto their pwc and all continued riding. A short ime later Operator1 observed Vessel #2 jumping the wake of a vessel in an unsafe manner and was trying to catch up to the Vessel #2 and advise them to stop. Operator1 stated that while doing this he was unable to avoid the collision.

Complainant #2 
Operator2 stated that he and his friend (witness #1) were jumping the wakes of other boats and does not remember much about the accident. He did not see the other PWC (#1).

Witness #1 
Witness stated that prior to the accident he had fallen off the PWC. He was not aware of the accident and only learned of it when his friend Operator2 started yelling for help. Witness swam over to Operator2 to help him into a boat.

Officers investigation
Officers arrived at Duessen Park and gathered information and secured the vessels in the Harris County Marine Division Boat Yard for safe keeping. They then went to LBJ Hospital to interview Operator2. Operator2 was being treated for a  broken left hand and a broken right thumb. They were told by Operator2 that he had consumed a few beers throughout the day. Officer contacted the Harris County District Attorneys Office and spoke with D.A. who advised them there was not enough evidence to support a Boating While Intoxicated Charge and thus no reason for a blood draw.

On August the 8th the officers examined the vessels and determined that Vessel #1 came from behind and struck Vessel #2 at an approximate angle of 238 degrees to 248 Degrees. Hitting the comp. #2 in the left arm and traveling across the his chest, dislodging the steering column and scraping across the front storage compartment of vessel #2.
The Officers went to visit Compl.#2 and photographed his injuries. Operator2 was issued a citation for operating a PWC above headway speed within 50 feet of another vessel.
The officer visited with Compl. #1 and issued Operator1 two citations. One for operating a PWC above headway speed within 50 feet of another vessel and for failing to yield the right away to the vessel on the right.

The officers stated that Operator1 had the greater obligation and was clear that Operator1 struck vessel #2 in a crossing situation.

Houston                       