Vessel 1 was traveling southwest in Henderson Creek (a marked slow speed zone) approximately 10-20 mph. Due to the excessive speed, machinery failure in the steering system, and possible alcohol use (still under investigation) the operator drove into a fallen tree branch causing minor damage to the jet ski, but injury beyond first aid to the operator.

Officer and I then returned the jet ski to Operator at his residence. When we exited the vehicle Operator asked "Are they gonna file DUI charges on me?" I told him that it was an ongoing investigation and was not sure at the time. Operator went on to say that he thought he knew what went wrong with the jet ski. He described the problem to me and he was exactly correct. I told him he was right and we observed the exact problem he described during our inspection of the jet ski. During our conversation he admitted to working on the steering cable himself within the past two weeks and he was test driving the jet ski the day of the accident. Operator freely admitted to having some drinks the day of the accident while working on a second vessel he owned. He went on to say after having some drinks throughout the day and working on the other vessel he decided to test drive the jet ski he thought he had fixed.

Through my investigation I came to the following conclusions:

1. Operator incorrectly installed a new steering cable in his jet ski
2. Operator was operating his jet ski at a high rate of speed in a slow speed zone
3. Operator collided with a fixed tree branch in Henderson Creek causing damage to his vessel and injuring himself
4. There were three factors leading to the collision
    a) excessive speed
    b) machinery failure in the steering system
    c) alcohol use

Investigator is continuing the investigation into Operator boating under the influence.
; operator:Contusions to chest and lacerations to right leg. Bleeding from left ear.
NAPLES