There were no witnesses to the accident.  The investigation indicates that the vessel was being operated in a reckless manner at high speeds according to witnesses who saw the vessel prior to the accident.  Evidence shows that the vessel struck a rock face on the shore at high speeds.  The passenger was pronounced dead on-scene.  The driver was extricated from the driver's seat and transported to a trauma center in Spokane, WA.  The investigation is open.  Alcohol was believed to be a factor.

It was documented that the RPM gauge on the boat was seized at 5600 RPM's.  Witness statements from the on-scene EMT's state that they found the boat in gear and they moved the throttle to nuetral and turned the ignition off.  Damage to the vessel indicated a direct full frontal hit at high speeds.  The boats onboard GPS indicated that the vessel took a direct line into the rocks, with no obvious indication that they attempted to change course.  Ranger towed the boat involved in the accident to the Fort Spokane Boat Launch, where it was impounded and inventoried per NPS policy.

During the course of the inventory of the vessel several observations were made.  Rangers found two large plastic juice bottles (a 1 gallon, and 3 quart) containing a liquid that smelled like beer.  Rangers found a spent shell casing 22-2250 Caliber, and box of 13 22-250 shells.  There was a cell phone one on the floor of the vessel and the GPS system that was still mounted on the control panel.  All was entered into evidence along with a 8 oz flask conatining alcohol and the open beer can.


On April 5, 2009 the Rangers went ot the site of the vessel collision to the collect evidence.  They found the site, just to the east of Halverson Canyon, and note two gouge marks in the rocks.  They observed shards of glass from teh boat windshield on the rocks; several paint chips matching the boat paint, and a windshield wiper thtat was missing from the vessel in the water in front of the rocks.  The rangers found an American flag was reportedly stolen by the boat occupants on the rocks of the crash site.
Lincoln Mill/Davenport        