RedactedNarrative: On April 15, 2017, at approximately 1:30 PM, Wildlife Agents were contacted about a boat accident on Saline Bayou in Deville.  Senior Agent and I, Senior Agent, arrived on scene at approximately 2:00 PM.  
  
  We made contact with the operator, Operator, at Woodson’s Landing.  He informed us that he and his son were involved in a single boat accident on Saline Bayou.  Operator explained to us that he was traveling north on Saline Bayou. At that time he tried to make a sharp right turn on the channel, but his steering failed and he went straight into some cypress trees striking the port side of his vessel first.  After the initial strike on his port/stern side, he then traveled approximately 80 feet where he struck some more cypress trees near the bank.  The vessel wedged in between two trees causing it to stop.  Operator said he struck the steering wheel with the left side of his rib cage.  He did have some bruising in this area.  He refused medical treatment.  His son did not receive any injuries.  Both subjects said they were wearing their PFD’s (Type III) at the time.  Operator said his kill switch lanyard was attached. 
  
                 No alcohol or drugs are suspected.  The vessel is a 20’2” 2008 Skeeter with remote power steering. The boat was seized for further investigation.  It was stored at the LDWF Education Center in Woodworth.  Pictures were taken of the boat at the scene of the accident.  The boat did receive extensive damage to the hull on the port and starboard side.      
  
               After further investigation it was found that the steering was faulty.  Steering fluid was found leaking from the steering rod housing.     
    
  GPS  31*21.0654
            92*04.8411
  