On 03/23/2010 at approximately 11:30 a.m. Operator and two others began a fishing trip at the West Fork Boat Ramp of J. Percy Priest Lake in Rutherford County , Tennessee.  They were fishing in Operator's 16ft Rebel Bass Boat.  At approximately 14:30 hours,  they noticed water ponding in the floorboard of the deck.  Operator started and lowered the outboard engine in order to drive towards the West Fork Boat Ramp.  Water began to fill the boat when Operator put the boat into forward gear.  Consequently, the stern began sinking and Operator moved to the bow with the other passengers.  The boat then rolled and all three passengers entered the water.  They held on as best they could, but eventually tried to swim to shore.  Two people made it to shored uninjured, but Operator did not.  Operator drowned before reaching shore.  The two where rescued by a good samaritan who took them to the West Fork Boat Ramp.

Autopsy examination revealed edematous lungs with abundant frothy fluid which was also present in the upper airway.  An enlarged liver, thickening of the right ventricle, and 95% atherosclerotic narrowing of the right coronary artery were also noted at autopsy.

The boat hull ,specifically the transom, was breaking down or decaying.  Additionally, the transom showed signs of repair using silicone and commerical liquid welding products.   

The boat motor exceded the capacity requirements of the capacity plate.  The additional weight of the motor combined with the occupants and their equipment overloaded the boat.  

Postmortem toxicology revealed acetaminophen, butalbital, diazepam, and its metabolite, nordiazepam.  Diazepam and butalbital have additive effects and were likely intoxicants in this case.

Hull failure, Overloading, and drug use contributed to this accident.
SMYRNA                        