On 9/24/2010 at approximately 18:00 hrs i responded to a reported boat accident.  A boat was seen traveling on lake hickory's main channel with no occupants.  The boat crashed into and came to rest at a boat house.  While responding, i received a call from trooper d advising the operator had been located and had been brought to the scene of the property damage.  He also stated it was apparent the operator had been drinking.  The operator advised he was the only one on the boat.

Upon arrival, i spoke to operator/owner.  He advised he had been operating his boat since the morning spending time on the lake cruising.  He advised he had drank two liquor drinks on the boat and was heading in to get some lunch.  He advised he was seated on the right side gunwale of his boat and not in the seat.  An unseen wake came and hit his boat and he fell overboard into the water.  The boat traveled in a straight direction and was at full throttle.  He stated he lost sight of where his boat went.  He swam to shore.  He walked to his mother in laws.  He advised he was uninjured.

His boat busted through the lower section of the wooden door boat house.  It traveled into the boat slip hitting the back wall of the boat house.  The boat had damage to the front navigation light and windshield.  The hull had minimal damage.  The distance the vessel traveled unmanned was approximately 4650 feet before impacting the boat house.
operator was arrested for operating while impaired and careless and negligent operation.  The intoximeter reported a bac of 0.09.  No further injuries or damages were reported.

HICKORY                       