RedactedNarrative: On the afternoon of 07/24/2021 between 1400 and 1500 in the Hell Creek Bay area of Ft. Peck Reservoir approximately 1000 yards from the Hell Creek Marina, a Passenger and Operator were injured in a single boat accident while returning from fishing in the Hell Creek Tournament and attempting to locate a “weigh boat” to check in at the end of the tournament day. They had approached a boat that was not a weigh boat and then left at a high rate of speed toward another boat they believed to be a weigh boat. The Operator had owned Vessel 1 since the spring of 2021, had been to Hell Creek Bay by boat approximately 4 times before and this was their first time fishing the tournament. The day was reported to be very hot with a slight breeze causing normal wave activity along with the normal wakes caused by boats puling tubes, fishing, driving etc. in this bay near the Marina and State Park.
  	As they were looking for the weigh boat on a southerly course, two vessels had crossed their path heading east-west and vis versa in the distance. Witness, Operator and Passenger all described the distance between Vessel 1 and these vessels at the time of the incident to be between 100 and 200 yards. While travelling approximately 50-55 MPH, Vessel 1 encountered the wake from one of these vessels and began bouncing on top of the water. When this happened, the Operator pulled back immediately on the throttle to slow down as another wave was about to be encountered. 
  	Upon impact with this next wave, the bow of Vessel 1 rose and then dropped down swiftly. This impact caused the Operator to force the throttle forward upon impact of the water. The bow of Vessel 1 then rose again to crest another wave when the Operator believes a trim tab was caught causing the boat to violently spin and stop about 90 degrees to the starboard side and the Operator pulled back on the throttle again.
  	This violent impact and sudden turn caused the Passenger to be ejected from the boat after having their leg pinned between the seat and dash. The Operator impacted the dash as they were thrown to the floor of Vessel 1. Neither Passenger nor Operator were wearing life jackets which were strapped to the seats of Vessel 1.
  	Vessel 2 observed the incident and assisted the Passenger of Vessel 1 out of the water who was complaining about pain in their leg. Witness of Vessel 2 then boarded Vessel 1 and found the Operator on the floor of the boat, unconscious. Witness then took control of Vessel 1 and drove it to the Hell Creek Marina where 911 was called. On the short trip from the incident location to the Marina, the Operator came in and out of consciousness until they were fully conscious and began complaining about abdominal pain. 
  	Speed and inexperience with operating vessels especially a new vessel seem to be the main factors contributing to this crash. Both the Operator and Passenger were flown to Billings Clinic from Jordan. The Passenger of Vessel 1 suffered a broken blood vessel in their leg. The Operator suffered 4 broken ribs, a ruptured spleen, 2 collapsed disks in spine, broken nose and scratched up face. No damage to the boat occurred. After interviewing the witness, operator, and passenger, it was determined that no boating laws were broken, and alcohol was not a factor as both occupants had only consumed one beer each at lunch, and the witness did not smell or see any alcohol at the time of the incident.