On July 4th, 2009 at approximately 11:10 am, Texas Game Warden  was contacted by the Mitchell County Sheriffs Office (by telephone) in reference to a boating accident with injuries at Lake Colorado City. Upon arrival at the state park boat ramp, GW met with the operator of PWC #1, Subject 1 whom stated that he was operating a PWC (TX4255AD) on the lake and was trying to catch up to his girlfriend subject 2 and her passenger subject 3 whom were riding on another PWC (TX4248AD). Subject 1 stated that a boat passed by creating a wake/wave causing him to lose control and caused him to steer over into the other PWC.  Subject 2 stated that she had killed the throttle on her "jetski" and was just drifting in the water because of the rough conditions. She did not see  Subject 1 come up behind her and only heard him yell just before impact. The impact caused both girls to be knocked off of PWC #2. The brunt force of the impact was on the passenger ( Subject 3) resulting in her being knocked unconscious and possibly not breathing.  Subject 1 initiated CPR and yelled for help in which a pontoon boat responded to assist. Once loaded onto the pontoon boat CPR was continued and  Subject 3 was transported to the State Park boat ramp and eventually to the Mitchell County Hospital (by ambulance) where her condition was assessed and then she was flown to a hospital in Lubbock, TX.
 GW was assisted by State Troopers  at the boat ramp and at the Mitchell County hospital. GW interviewed and received statements from the operators of both watercraft.  Subject 3 was not interviewed because of her medical condition. GW searched both watercraft and the vehicle that had brought all subjects to the lake and found no alcoholic beverages. Subject 1 voluntarily agreed to a blood sample to determine if there was any alcohol or illegal substance in his blood.

     Results from the Texas Department of Public Safety lab tests (blood sample) showed negative for alcohol or any other substance in  Subject 1's blood.



NOTE:  All original statements, reports, photos and other evidence are consistent and will remain in the office of Texas      Game Warden                                                                                                                                  


             Courthouse
             Colorado City, TX  79512

CONCLUSION: 
It is the findings of Texas Game W through the interviews, statements and evidence involved, that the cause of the accident was due to  Subject 1 (PWC #1) operating too closely (not at headway speed within 50' of another vessel) combined with rough lake conditions (boat wakes and waves).  Subject 1 was issued a citation for this offense in J.P. 's court in Mitchell County. There was no indication of any alcohol or illegal drug use involved and all required water safety equipment was being used.
There were no witnesses to the actual impact.GW spoke with the victim ( Subject 3) approximately 6 weeks after being released from the hospital, but due to memory loss, she still has no recollection of the accident.

CITATION ISSUED:
Colorado City                 