RedactedNarrative: Vessel #1 (V1) – 2000, 10' Bombardier Sea-Doo GTX
  •          Owner – 
  •          Operator – V1 Operator
   
  Vessel #2 (V2) – 2002, 10' Bombardier Sea-Doo
  •          Owner - 
  •          Operator/Injured – V2 Operator 
   
  Witnesses – 2
   
  On 06/26/2016, at about 04:00 p.m., these 2 vessels were cruising on the Columbia River/Lake Wallula, across from Ringold Fish Hatchery, located near Kennewick, WA in Benton County.  The vessels collided causing injury to V2 Operator.
   
  Upon arrival, a Law Enforcement Officer on scene spoke with one of the medics and asked about V2 Operator’s condition.  He was told that she had a lump on her head and a possible broken shoulder.  The Officer asked if she had been drinking and the medic said she smelled strongly of it.    
   
  V1 Operator told Law Enforcement the he was headed back in towards the shore.  He said that he didn't see V2 Operator come alongside him when he made a sharp left turn into V2 Operator causing the collision.  Officers asked V1 Operator if he had consumed any alcohol.  V1 Operator admitted to drinking the night before including a “dirty sunrise” drink at 9:30 that morning.  He said he had nothing to drink since then.  V1 Operator agreed to do voluntary field sobriety tests.  Officers administered the tests and V1 Operator passed.  He also provided a PBT sample of .000.  V1 Operator admitted that he was trying to splash the shore when the accident occurred.
   
  Law Enforcement called one of the witnesses, Witness1, to get his account of the accident.  Witness1 said he was nearby on his boat and saw the whole thing.  He described V1 Operator and V2 Operator running parallel to each other headed back into shore.  V2 Operator cut power and was at idle speed while V1 Operator sped past.  Witness1 said that V1 Operator turned sharply to the left and “T-boned” V2 Operator.  He said that V2 Operator's lower half remained partially seated on the Jet Ski but her upper half went forward and her head contacted the steering area.  It appeared that she went unconscious for about 30 seconds.  Other people present, including V1 Operator, rushed to help her.  She was loaded into Witness1's boat and taken across to meet the ambulance.
   
  Based on Witness1's and V1 Operator’s statements, Officers advised V1 Operator that he was going to be cited for Reckless Operation of a Jet Ski.  He was also cited for Failure to Possess a Mandatory Boater Education Card.  Since V1 Operator was sober, Officers allowed him to take a vessel in tow and motor back to shore at Columbia Park where their Jet Ski trailer was.  
   
  1 Injury / 0 Fatalities
  There was alcohol involvement
  V1 damage estimated at $500 / V2 damage estimated at $1,000
  Both Vessel Operators were wearing a PFD
  V1 Operator had a mandatory Boater Education Card / V2 Operator did not have a mandatory Boater Education Card
  