Victim was participating in an all night fishing tournament on the lake. Witnesses on a nearby vessel observed victim's vessel go past their vessel on plane toward the marina. The witnesses then heard a change in the vessel's motor tone from high to low and back to high again. Witnesses then observed the vessel spinning in a clockwise direction. When witnesses shined their spotlight on vessel one, they did not see anyone on board. After 3 or 4 minutes vessel one stopped because it ran out of gas. Witness approached but found no one on board. Officer noticed a small branch about 1" in diameter along the shore that had been freshly broken. The vessel had brush marks that appeared consistent with this branch and the small branches that were around it, which confirmed the clockwise spin of the vessel. The vessel was found in the full forward position. The safety lanyard was stuck underneath of the drivers seat and not used. Pfd's were in the floor of the vessel also not used. There was no evidence indicating which direction victim travelled when he left the vessel. When the engine was started, the throttle immediately advanced to 30-40% even with the throttle in neutral. The conclusion was that victim was so tall, he normally would lay the drivers seat down and sit behind the seat on the deck, thus putting him in an elevated position. When the sending unit picked up the remaining fuel, it threw victim out of the vessel. The drugs in victims system affected his balance as well. A pfd was not being worn and not used. Drugs were a contributing factor.
MILLIARD