On august 18th at approximately 7:30pm, two vessels being operated on lake norman collided near governors island in lincoln county.  According to eyewitnesses, vessel 1, was an 11 ft yamaha waverunner and Vessel 2 was a 24 ft chapparrall.  

According to the operator of vessel 2, vessel 1 was operating on the port side of his vessel approximately 20 yards away.  Witnesses stated that the vessels were traveling north on lake norman and that there was a storm blowing up from the west.  Witnesses stated that there was conversation between the two vessels of an upcoming storm while the vessels were traveling.  Witnesses stated that the operator of vessel 1 turned his head to the left to observe the oncoming storm.  As vessel 1 was looking over his left shoulder, his vessel began to drift in front of the bow of vessel 2.  

Vessel 2 pulled the throttle into reverse which raised the bow and then brought it back down onto the starboard stern of vessel 1 causing the operator to be ejected from the operator's seat.  The operator of vessel 2 and two occupants jumped into the water without pfds in an attempt to rescue the operator of vessel number one who was wearing a pfd and at this time was unconscious and face down in the water.  

The operator of vessel one was pulled into vessel 2 and 911 was called.  Myself and sgt arrived at the residence of operator of vessel 2 and began taking witness statements from the occupants of vessel 2.  Sgt and myself then travelled to presbyterian hospital to interview vessel 1 operator who was alert and conscious.  Vessel 1 operator stated that he could not recall anything about the accident and his mb 4.1 was transcribed by his wife who was not a witness to the accident.  Vessel one operator several hours after the accident still had a very strong odor of an alcoholic beverage emitting from his breath.  Vessel one operator stated that he had drank three beers all day.  A court order for the blood results of vessel one operator has been filed and the results have not been returned at this time.

DENVER                        