RedactedNarrative: The operator was operating v1, A 17' Monarch remote steer aluminum vessel which had four (4)  juvenile passengers.  Vessel 1 was on plane heading South near the center of river.   Operator had the passenger Subject1 in his lap holding her with his left arm. Video evidence obtained shows the vessel steadily veered to the right before the collision.  The vessel struck multiple trees along the bank and became grounded.  
  
  The main contributing factor in this accident is careless operation due to the vessel not being in complete control of the operator because he was holding a child in his lap and could not use that arm to steer or reduce speed to avoid a collision and come to a stop before hitting the trees on the bank which also violated rule #16 of the rules of the road for vessels.  
  
  Another contributing factor to this accident is excessive speed, due to having full control of the vessel.  He should have been traveling a slower speed to give himself additional time to maneuver the vessel.  All occupants were wearing PFD's. 
  
   Operator had the kill switch equipped.  Three passengers sustained injuries.  Subject2 sustained scrapes along her right leg and a swollen right eye.  Subject3 sustained scrapes to both arms and legs, Subject4 was transported to hospital by ambulance, and had lacerations to forehead and received seven stitches.  
  
  Operator advised Sgt. he had smoked a small amount of marijuana and drank one beer several hours before this incident.  Sgt. did not at the time see any signs of impairment, but made multiple attempts to conduct SFST with Operator, Operator was compliant but due to totality circumstances in the hospital, Sgt. was not able to conduct a proper test. Operator voluntarily submitted to a blood sample.  The blood sample came back negative of Ethyl alcohol.  Blood sample was positive for cannabinoids,  . 9 - tetrahydrocannabinol <2ng/ml and 11-nor- 9-THC-9-carboxylic acid (inactive THC metabolite).  Due to the results of the blood samples and observations of the operator at the time of the incident, alcohol and drugs are not believed to be a contributing factor in the incident.    See attached statement from Sgt..   Operator was cited for RS34:851.4 - Careless operation of a watercraft, RS 34:851.11 Overloading of Motorboat, RS 34:851.24 (f) Failure to comply w/PFD requirements (No type 4).  
  