RedactedNarrative: Vessel 1 was traveling north on the St Clair County side of the river just south of Cropwell Creek. Vessel 1 was up on plane. 
  
  Vessel 2 was traveling south on the St Clair County side of the river just south of Cropwell Creek. Vessel 2 was not on plane. 
  
  Visibility was poor due to a severe thunderstorm and the drivers did not see each other until the last moment. The driver of V1 stated he turned sharply to the right when he saw V2''s lights. The driver of V2 stated he turned sharply to the right when he saw V1''s lights. The drivers were unable to avoid a collision. V1 struck V2 in the port side, tearing a large hole in the side of the boat. The drivers and 3 passengers from V1 and 9 passengers from V2 were ejected into the water. 
  
  The driver of V1 stated that there had just been a large bolt of lightning and he told his passengers to hang on and he put the boat up on plane in an attempt to get home. The driver of V2 stated he was just motoring along when he saw V1 coming at him at a high rate of speed.