RedactedNarrative: 0n 06/02/2020, at approximately 1754 hours, I received a phone call from DGIF dispatch stating that a fatal boat accident had occurred on the James River, near the Z dam. While on scene, I spoke with a friend of the victim, and had been kayaking with him on this day. 
  
  Friend stated that he and subject2 put their kayaks in the James River at Huguenot Flatwater at approximately 1540 hours. Friend stated that he and Operator floated down river past the Z dam and were making a camp at a clearing on the south bank of the river. Friend stated that the two men were going to cook out, hang some hammocks, and hang out by the river until dusk.  
  
  Friend stated that he and Operator each had three, twelve ounce beers and smoked some marijuana. Friend then stated that Operator saw a man he knew fishing from a canoe near the Z dam. Operator stated to Friend that he was going to paddle out and talk to Subject3. Friend said that he advised Operator against going near the dam due to the high water lever. Operator was an avid kayaker and proceeded into the river. 
  
  Friend stated that approximately three minutes later he heard yelling and looked up to see Subject3 in the canoe motioning for him to come out into the water. Friend stated the he launched a second kayak and paddled over to Subject3 in the canoe where he could then see Operator draped over the side of the canoe and unresponsive. 
  
  Friend stated that neither he nor Operator were wearing PFD's or helmets while kayaking on this day. Subject3 stated that he was fishing when he saw a kayak paddling toward the Z dam. Subject3 stated that he was concerned for the kayaker because he knew the dam was dangerous when the river level was high like it was on this day. Subject3 stated that he saw the kayaker paddle up into the dam and then flip. 
  
  Subject3 stated that he was approximately forty yards from Operator when he saw him struggling in the water. Subject3 stated that he then paddled toward Operator, but Operator was lifeless and floating when he arrived. Subject3 stated that Friend attempted CPR and that Richmond Fire/EMS arrived promptly and took over the rescue effort. 
  
  Subject3 stated that he believed that approximately five minutes had passed from the time he saw Operator go into the water until the time he and Friend were able to get Operator to shore. 
  
  Upon my investigation, it appears that Operator was kayaking on the James river near the Z dam. Operator had consumed alcohol and marijuana during the course of his kayak trip. Operator paddled his kayak into the hydraulic of the Z dam where his kayak was overturned, resulting in Operator' drowning. The failure to wear a PFD and the high river level where factors in this incident.
  