RedactedNarrative: On July 14, 2014, I learned of an Personal Watercraft (PWC) accident occurring at West Frankfort New City Lake on Saturday in which a female was taken to the hospital. At 1:12 PM, I received a call detail sheet indicating the Franklin County Sheriff''s Department responded. I later obtained the attached Incident Report. I located the involved PWC''s at. I inspected Vessel 1 (2000 Yamaha) and found the registration to be expired. Residence advised they had purchased the PWC on July 11th and had not sent in the application/title for registration. She presented the purchase paperwork for the PWC. On Vessel 1 I noted impact marks near the bow on the port side of the hull near the keel. I also found some damage under and above the rub rail on the port side of the bow consistent with crushing impact. I then inspected Vessel 2 (1997 Polaris) and found significant damage to the starboard foot well and center console forward of the operator’s seat. I obtained contact information from Residence for the operators of the PWCs involved in the accident. 
  
  On July 19, 2014 I interviewed the Operator of Vessel 1 and a written statement is attached. OPERATOR1 also noted on an aerial map the approximate location and travel of the involved vessels. OPERATOR1 explained as Vessel 2 turned across his path he let off the throttle and lost steering. He also added the PWC he was riding had a steering problem, consistent with power yaw to the right as throttle is applied. Just prior to impact he attempted to power up and turn the PWC. OPERATOR1 estimated his experience with PWCs as 20 hours. 
  
  On the same date, I interviewed the Operator of Vessel 2, and a written statement is attached. OPERATOR2 also noted on an aerial map the approximate location and travel of the involved vessels. OPERATOR2 explained she slowed and turned right to go back to the dock where she had last seen OPERATOR1. OPERATOR2 advised she did not look behind her until she turned and did not see Vessel 1 until it was about 5 feet from impacting her. OPERATOR2 advised she was struck in the right knee/leg/ankle and ejected from the PWC. OPERATOR2 was transported to Herrin Hospital by the West Frankfort fire Department Ambulance where she was treated and released. From further medical examination, OPERATOR2 explained she suffered a stretched ACL and bruised tibia on her right leg. OPERATOR2 estimated all her boating experience was on PWCs and had begun the Illinois online boater safety course two days before the accident but only completed through Chapter 2. 
  
  In summary, both vessels were traveling a similar direction with Vessel 1 (OPERATOR1, give way) overtaking Vessel 2 (OPERATOR2, stand on) until such time as Vessel 2 changed speed and direction. In doing so, Vessel 2 (OPERATOR2) turned right perpendicular to the course of Vessel 1 (OPERATOR1) creating a Crossing situation in which Vessel priority switched. Vessel 1 (OPERATOR1, stand on) was to the right, at an oblique or right angle, of Vessel 2 (OPERATOR2, give way). 
  
  End of Narrative