On Sunday, June 6, 2010 I was notified by Lake of Egypt Lake Patrol that a boat accident had occurred over Memorial Day weekend.  I was given the name and phone number of one of the boat owner's involved in the accident.  I called the number and left a message for the person to call me.  On Monday, June 7, 2010, I was contacted by V2owner.  She informed me that her boat had been hit by another boat and asked if an accident report needed to be filed.  I said yes and agreed to meet with her later that day at the lake and look at her boat.  Later that day, I met with V2owner.  She explained to me that they were sitting outside of the "No Wake" zone near Pyramid Acres Cove on her pontoon boat (Vessel 2).  When they noticed a pontoon boat (Vessel 1) coming directly towards them.  She said the passengers on her boat were yelling at the other boat, but it didn't slow down and kept heading right at them.  V2owner said she could see the operator of Vessel 1 looking at a cell phone and looking down, not looking at the direction they were going.  V2owner said at the last minute the operator of Vessel 1, later identified as Operator1, looked up and throttled back on the engine.  Vessel 1 then struck Vessel 2 in the forward port section causing damage to the pontoon, and decking.  V2owner said that no one on either boat was injured.  They exchanged information and Operator1 stated that she didn't have any insurance but she would take care of the damages.  V2owner stated that Operator1 said she was sorry and would pay for all the damages.  She gave me Operator1's information and I called and left a message for Operator1 to call me.  

On June 8, 2010, I met with V2owner.  She gave me a hand written statement that she had prepared (see attached).  I was then contacted by Operator1 and she agreed to meet with me.  I then met Operator1 at her house at a little after 6pm.  I explained that I was investigating the boat accident.  She understood.  Before I began asking her about the accident, I read the Miranda Warning to her (see attached form).  I then asked her about the accident and asked her to make a written statement for me.  She agreed (see attached statement).  Operator1 stated to me that she was operating her boat (vessel 1).  After they had left the "No Wake" zone, she started to increase speed.  She told me that someone on her boat was telling her about a house that was for sale and she was trying to look at the house.  She told me the next thing she knew there was a boat in front of her and she pulled back on the throttle, but still hit the other boat.  She said no one was injured and she had told V2owner she was sorry.  She said they exchanged information and she told V2owner that she would take care of the damages.  I told her I would be getting in contact with her in about a week.

I then contacted some of the passengers on V2owner's boat to get statements from them.  No other action taken at this time.  End of Initial Report.

After reviewing statements from boat occupants, I contacted Operator1 to set a meeting with her.  On August 2, 2010, I met with Operator1 and issued a citation for Careless Operation of a watercraft.  I informed her of her court date and explained the charge to her.  End of Supplemental Report.
Marion                        