I, CPO was contacted on July 5, 2011 by CPO in regards to a boat accident that occured on July 2, 2011. He gave me the information for the contact individual. I contacted Owner, who advised me he owned the boat but stated he was not operating the boat at the time of the crash. He advised his brother (Operator) was operating the boat on the IL River near Peru, and stuck an unkown object in the River that caused substantial damage to the boat. Owner gave me the contact information for Operator, and I attempted to contact him. It was not until July 6th until I was able to speak with Operator, but he was at work, and could not meet with me regarding this issue at this time. It was not until Friday (July 8th) until I could physically meet up with Operator, and conduct an interview concerning the boat accident. 
On July 8th, Operator informed me he was pleasure boating on the IL River with his mother, and several friends and children. He advised me that he was cruising west on the river and started to make a turn into the channel of the IandM Canal (entrance to Canal). As he was making this turn he stated that he looked at his depth finder and it displayed that there was 13 feet of water at the spot when he struck something with so much force that it literally spun the boat around. He stated the passengers were all very startled to the point of panic. He then stated he saw the boat taking on water and started to bail out water. He then was able to navigate the boat in the direction of point where he launched the boat, but they had to bail out water the entire way back to the boat ramp. I then collected all the other necessary information for the report, and needed the other passenger information. He stated he did not know some of the needed information, and would get back to me to relay the information. Operator denied drinking any alcohol at the time of the accident, because he stated he had to work later that afternoon. Several days passed after he finally contacted me with the information on the passengers. I met him at his residence, and the vessel was present.I looked the watercraft over, and observed damage to the motor/propeller, hull, and lower unit, consistent with the information he gave me. EOR.
Peru, IL                      