RedactedNarrative: SYNOPSIS:
  
  Responded to report of vessel injury accident near Lone Rock Beach.  Investigated accident that involved a PWC vs. PWC collision.  Both passengers from one PWC were injured.  One was flown via helicopter to St. George for treatment (passenger) and other was taken via ambulance to Page Hospital for treatment and then later flown to St. George(operator vessel 2).  During the investigation it was determined the operator of vessel 1 was impaired and he was arrested for DUI.
  
  INVESTIGATION:
  
  One of the NPS Rangers on scene pointed out to me the owner of both PWC's involved in the accident and the operator of one of the PWC's.  I contacted the individual who was identified as the operator of one of the PWC's and asked him to tell me what had happened.  He identified himself as Operator1’ and explained how the accident had occurred.  OPERATOR1 stated that he had been operating one PWC alone and the other PWC was being operated by a female that was currently being treated in the NPS ambulance with one person on behind her as a passenger (male with broken left leg).  
  
  OPERATOR1 stated that both he and OPERATOR2 had taken off from the same point just a little ways off Lone Rock Beach.  He stated they were both going at likely the two PWC's maximum speed which he stated was about 40-45 mph for his PWC and 50+ for OPERATOR2's.  He stated that OPERATOR2's PWC was faster so she was slightly in front of him and off to his right, about 40 feet away.  OPERATOR1 stated that OPERATOR2 made a sudden left turn right in front of him.  He stated he immediately let off the throttle and engaged the reverse but it was too close.  He stated at first his bow dropped low as he hit the reverse but his vessels wake seemed to lift the bow up just as he struck the other PWC and its occupants.  He stated his PWC traveled all the way over the other PWC and he estimated his speed at the point of impact at approximately 30 mph.  I had OPERATOR1 fill out a witness statement.
  
  I then spoke to the owner of both vessels.  He gave me the registration information and insurance information for both PWC's.  I then took photo's of the PWC's and the visible damage to vessel 2.  There were some minor scrapes and rub marks on the port side gunwale of vessel 2.  There were a few scrapes/tears on the left side of the seat on vessel 2.  The left side handle bar had damage on vessel 2.  I could see no visible damage on vessel 1 but I believe there are likely some minor scrapes on the bottom of the hull.
  
  The damage and OPERATOR1's account of the accident lead me to believe vessel 1 was traveling at a high rate of speed which would lift its hull up out of the water more.  Due to the higher rate of speed and the wave/wake OPERATOR1 remembers lifting his bow up right before impact, vessel 1 primarily impacted the passengers of vessel 2 which accounts for their injuries and the very limited damage to vessel 1 & 2.
  
  During my interaction with OPERATOR1 I detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from his person as well as some other indicators of possible impairment.  Upon further investigation into OPERATOR1's level of impairment I placed him under arrest for DUI.  
  
  I went to the Page Hospital at around 2000 hours on 7/28/18 to speak to OPERATOR2 about the accident.  I was told she was flown to St. George for spleen injuries and rib injuries. Her passenger was unable to be spoken to at that time but that he had been informed the broken left leg was his primary injury.
  
  CONCLUSIONS:
  
  Ultimate cause of accident was both vessels failing to obey speed & proximity. OPERATOR2 failed to keep a proper lookout before altering her course to the left. Once vessel 2 began to pull ahead of vessel 1 it became OPERATOR1's responsibility to observe speed & proximity which he failed to do. OPERATOR1 was not able to avoid colliding with OPERATOR2 due to violation of speed & proximity, and by completely letting off his throttle he lost ability to effectively steer his vessel. Both of these violations were contributed to by OPERATOR1's impairment by alcohol. It's unknown if OPERATOR2 was impaired as I was unable to observe her before she was transported off the scene for medical care. NPS Ranger was providing care to OPERATOR2 and stated he attempted to perform the HGN test on OPERATOR2 but she was unable to keep her eyes open.
  