on 7-24-10 and at approximately 9:30 pm wardens were notified of a two boat collision on Cedar Creek Lake near Cherokee Landing. Vessel #1 was a 1997 Ranger bass boat.  Vessel #2 was a 1993 Starcraft Ponotoon Boat. Vessel #1 was occupied by four individuals and was headed west on Cedar Creek Lake. The occupants of vessel #1 stated that they were headed out to the main part of the lake to fish around the piers and lights. The occupants of vessel #1 stated they had left their boat dock shortly after 9:00 pm and was headed back toward the bridge on Cedar Creek Lake. The operator of Vessel #1 stated that they were traveling at about 15 mph when they saw the lights of another boat.  Operator1 stated that he tried to throttle down and steer his boat away from the pontoon boat but it was too late. Vessel #1 then struck the pontoon boat headed on and causing the bass boat to travel up onto the pontoon boat.  The bass boat came to a brief stop on top of the bass boat before rolling off into the water off of the starboard side.  All occupants of the bass boat were then thrown into the water until rescued by another boat.   Vessel #2 was occupied by 5 adults and 4 children at the time of the accident.  Occupants of vessel #2 stated that they had left the dock about 7:00pm. The occupants stated that they had went cruising and swimming on different areas on the lake.  They decided to head back to Cherokee Landing because it was getting too dark. The boat was traveling about 5-10 mph. Just before arriving at Cherokee Landing they observed another boat heading directly towards them.  The occupants of vessel #2 began to yell and try to get the attention of the oncoming boat. The bass boat struck the pontoon boat throwing several occupants out of the boat. 
All occupants and boats were taken to Cherokee Landing.  Injured occupants were transported to ETMC Athens by ambulance.  

After further investigation it was determined that both vessels were operating proper lighting and vessel #1 was operating with the motor trimmed up thus allowing the bow of the boat to be up out of the water obstructing the operators view.

Log Cabin, Tx                 