On 07/15/2010, at approximately 18:17, a two-boat collision occurred 1/10TH of a mile downstream from the Weakley Lane Bridge on J. Percy Priest Lake in Smyrna, TN.  Upon my arrival, I determined through witness statements that there had been two occupants in each boat.  Vessel 1 was owned and operated by same person and he was joined by one occupant.  On the other hand, Vessel 2 was owned and operated by one person and he was joined by one other person.  

Operator and witness statements, injury records and damage assessments report that the vessels encountered one another "head on" in the narrow channel.  Vessel 1 was traveling downstream and vessel 2 upstream.  Both vessels were traveling above safe speeds for the narrow channel and neither vessel took every action necessary to avoid a collision. All four men were ejected upon impact.  Neither occupant of Vessel 1 was wearing a PFD (personal floatation device).  On the other hand, both occupants of Vessel 2 were wearing PFDs, but they weren''t securely fastened.  deceased's PFD came off when he was ejected.  Everyone but deceased victim (Vessel 2) made it to shore safely.  deceased victim couldn''t swim and drowned.  Operator (Vessel 1) showed signs of being under the influence of alcohol on-scene immediately following the accident.  His toxicology results confirmed he was under the influence of alcohol following the accident.  Operator (Vessel 2) didn''t display signs of impairment immediatley following the accident and toxicology results confirmed he wasn''t intoxicated.   deceased's autopsy confirmed drowning as the cause of death and didn''t report any other contributing factors.
SMYRNA                        