RedactedNarrative: Prelude:       
  I investigated a property damage boat accident at the Morse Reservoir marina.      
  Involved persons:                
  Details of Investigation:       
  On June 19, 2022, Officer 2 and I were on boat patrol on Morse Reservoir when at 11:10 AM we were notified by dispatch that there had been a boat accident at the Morse Reservoir marina. Upon arriving at the marina there was a 1996 Maxum boat tied to the dock and a 2014 Bennington pontoon boat pulled into the gas pump slip. There was broken glass from the windshield of the Maxum on the dock, and blood droplets on the docks adjacent to the boat. The Maxum boat had a broken windshield and heavy damage on the rear and starboard side of the boat. The pontoon had damage to the front of the port side.      
  Officer 2 started to investigate as I photographed the scene. The operator of the Bennington boat was interviewed by Officer 2. He was Identified as OP1 of Noblesville.  OP1 stated he was attempting to tie off his boat to the dock when the crash occurred. OP1 further stated he was pulling his boat alongside the dock and stepped out of the vessel when he noticed the boat was still moving forward. He then advised he attempted to engage the throttle in reverse to get the boat stopped but mistakenly engaged the throttle in forward gear. The boat moved forward in the direction of the Maxum boat in front of him, striking the rear of the boat starting at the swim platform continuing on top of the vessel.        
  The owner of the Maxum boat was identified as Owner 2.  He was not on his boat at the time of the crash. He advised he had stepped off to untie it from the dock so he and his daughter could depart for the day. Owner 2 further stated he was untying his bow line when he heard the engine of the pontoon engage and saw it strike the rear of his boat.  The impact of the crash snapped the bow line.       
  Owner 2 added that his daughter was on board in the bow of his boat at the time of the crash. He further advised the pontoon struck the rear of his boat starting at the swim platform continuing on top of his vessel. He stated his daughter was able to move out of the way of the vessel getting to safety. Owner 2 had cuts on his left foot which had been wrapped in gauze by paramedics at the scene. Owner 2 stated the cuts came from the glass from the broken windshield and that his daughter had not sustained any injuries. While speaking with Owner 2 he advised the blood on the dock was from his foot while he was attempting to get to his daughter during the accident.  
  EMS on scene initially evaluated Owner 2 and thought he had just sustained cuts to his feet. Owner 2 later advised it was determined there was still broken glass in his foot and it would have to be surgically removed.       
  Officer 2 and I then reviewed footage from the security cameras at the gas pumps at the marina. Upon reviewing the damage to the vessels and the footage, the statements given from Owner 2 and OP1 were confirmed. After reviewing it was apparent that OP1 had tripped and accelerated the throttle forward while exiting the boat.  OP1 had no recollection of tripping after the accident occurred. The video also showed that PAX 1 jumped out of the front of her boat onto the docks just after impact.  Officer 2 was able to download the video footage onto a thumb drive (see attachments). There was no apparent damage to the docks at the marina from the crash.    
  Officer 2 provided the operator's version of the boat accident form to Owner 2 and OP1 after the accident. Damage estimates are pending and will be entered when received. The cause of this accident was operator error by OP1.      
          
  Attachments:    
  Photos on I-Drive (31)  
  Video clips (2)   
  Operator statements (2)  
  Report of Indiana Operators Boat Accident Form (3)   
          
  Current Disposition:   
  Submitted to district 4 headquarters.     
  