RedactedNarrative: On Sunday, September 1, 2019, I (Cpl.) was on duty patrolling Calvert County.  At approximately 8:49 PM I was dispatched to the Patuxent River in the area of Point Patience for a boating accident.  I responded to the Solomon's Duty Station.  Cpl. met me there and together we responded by boat to the area of the accident.  When we arrived in the area we could not locate any vessels in distress.  I called and spoke with (the original caller).  He informed me that they were afraid the vessel was taking on water and took the boat back to the launch at the Navy Recreational Center.
  
      At approximately 9:00 PM Cpl.  and I made contact with Operator2, and Subject1 at the boat launch.  At the same time as my arrival, victim was being transported by ambulance to Calvert Health Medical Center for evaluation.  Operator2 told me that his wife was struck by the other vessel on her left shoulder.  A shoulder that had already undergone surgery in the past and had pins installed. She was sitting in the passenger seat located on the port side about mid ship. Operator2 showed me his 1994, white, 20' Trophy by Bayliner (Hull ID. USCD31FFE494. MD Registration 3570 E).  There was extensive damage to the port side starting near the stern and continuing up to mid ship just in front of the passenger seat (see attached pictures). When I asked what happened, Operator2 responded that he and his family were on board traveling from the Calvert side of the Patuxent River to the Saint Mary's side when a vessel coming from his left struck them.  Operator2 said that he spoke with the operator of the other vessel. Operator2 told the other operator that his wife might be hurt.  He also said that he was headed back to dock and the striking vessel was to follow.
  
       I asked Operator2 and Subject1 for a description of the striking vessel.  They described the vessel as a formula "go-fast" boat, white with a red stripe.  They were unsure of the length or possible age of the vessel.  When asked for a description of the operator and passenger(s), Operator2 and Subject1 said there was two people on the other vessel.  There was an older white male operating the boat. He had gray longer hair.  The operator was wearing light colored clothing.  The passenger was an older  white female. I relayed this description to Sgt. who contacted United State Coast Guard, Calvert, and Saint Mary's dispatches to request the sheriff Departments and Maryland State Police to be on the lookout for the striking vessel and occupants.
  
  
      From the ramp, Cpl. and I went to the Public Boat Ramp and Fishing pier located under the Thomas Johnson Bridge.  I spoke with fishermen that had been there for the past two hours.  No one saw the accident.  I did find some fishermen that saw a White vessel that was about 25 feet long with dark colored stripes on the side (could be dark red or blue stripes) pass under the Thomas Johnson Bridge and travel up river just before the time of the accident.  They also noted that they could see the bow lights but could not see a white light being displayed. The vessel that went up river never came back past the pier.
  
      From the fishing pier, we met Sgt. at the Duty Station and went to the Tiki Bar Restaurant dock to interview patrons in case the striking vessel had been there.  We spoke with a group of patrons that  helped a couple untie from the dock just after sunset. The patrons told me that there was a 27' fountain boat, white with red stripes tied to the dock earlier.  Just before dark, a middle age white male with glasses and a middle age white female with long hair pulled back returned to the fountain boat to leave.  The patrons watched as the woman got onto the boat, breaking the Plexiglas window on the port side.  The patrons also noticed that when the male turned on the navigation lights that the red and green bow lights and a white stern light that only illuminated 180 degrees behind the vessel turned on. There was no 360 degree white light displayed or a second light that illuminated 180 degrees in front of the vessel.
  
      Cpl. asked if the patrons had seen this couple before.  They said "no" but in conversation did learn some things about the man.  Cpl. went to the address and found a vessel on a boat lift matching the description given by the Tiki Bar patrons with front end damage.
  
      On Monday, September 2, 2019 at approximately 6:00 PM I was able to meet with Operator1 and his wife at their house.  I obtained a written statement from Operator1 of his account for the events from the night before (see attachments).  According to Operator1, His wife and he left dock between 9:00 PM and 9:30 PM to head from Solomon's back home.  Operator1 was operating his wife's 1991 white with red striped 27' Fountain (Hull ID FGQ7S025K091, Florida registration 0179NX) on plane (between 25 to 30 mph) passing under the Thomas Johnson Bridge.  While passing under the bridge, he saw a vessel in his path.  The other vessel was traveling from Operator1 right to his left.  Within 3 to 5 seconds he collided with the other vessel.
  
      After the collision, Operator1 agreed to follow the other vessel back to dock. He turned his vessel around and followed what he believed was the other vessel back to the Public Boat Ramp under the Thomas Johnson Bridge.  He got to the ramp, tied up and began talking with the other vessel.  It was at that time that he realized he was with the wrong boat.  Not knowing where the other vessel went,  Operator1 untied and went home.  I asked why Operator1 did not call "911" or Natural Resources Police to report the accident.  He said "in hind sight I should have,  I don't handle stress well and was so shaken up about the whole ordeal".
  
  This case open awaiting trial.  Operator1 has been charged with following;
  NR 8-732.2 Did operate a vessel in a reckless or dangerous manor
  NR 8-724- Did fail to render assistance and give information after a boating accident
  MR 08.18.01.04 Did fail to maintain proper lookout
  MR 08.18.01.04 Did fail to maintain safe speeds
  MR 08.18.01.04 Did fail to take action to avoid collision 
  
  The accident and initial investigation occurred in Calvert County.
  