Three subjects were fishing from their 14' john boat in Cross Lake.  They encountered motor problems and after some time trying to repair it, they began to call for help.  Another boater was launching his pontoon boat at the public boat launch and did hear their call.  He motored to their location near "Bird Island" and began to tow them back to the public launch.  As they were motoring along, Subject stated he could hear a lot of commotion in their boat and then heard cries for help.  Victim had jumped or fallen out of the boat, and another subject on the boat that was being towed was in the water trying to get to Victim.  Subject stated that he was able to get turned around and throw a life jacket to the victim, but could not get to Victim and did see him go under for the last time.  After lengthy interviews, none of the witnesses were able to positively testify as to what happened in the boat prior to Victim going into the water.  All three subjects had been consuming alcohol, and Victim had consumed a significant amount before ever getting into the boat.  According to statements, Victim could not swim very well, and he had prior hip injuries that hindered his ability to stay above the water.  This accident happened while the john boat was being towed by the pontoon boat.  In my opinion, the amount of alcohol that Victim had consumed, the reported hip injury, and the fact that he was not wearing a life jacket, are the contributing factors to his drowning.  The autopsy report, see attached, showed the cause of death as asphyxia secondary to drowning.  It also showed that Victim had a BAC of .229 and that a presence of a metabolite of marijuana was found.
Shreveport