RedactedNarrative: On Saturday August 21st, 2021 at approximately 17:30 two individuals were operating a Nordic speedboat on Boone Lake in Piney Flats, TN. The occupants stated they were traveling approximately 50 mph when there was an explosion from the engine compartment. 
  
  Both occupants were ejected from the vessel with the operator suffering serious injury and the passenger suffering minor injuries. The vessel sank immediately after the incident.  
  
  *** On Saturday August 21st, 2021 at approximately 17:30 Operator and Subject1 were operating a Nordic speedboat on Boone Lake in Piney Flats, TN. Subject1 stated the engine had been running rough all day, and he had been trying to fix the problem. 
  
  The occupants had stopped and spoke with a group of their friends up stream from Pickens Bridge Access Area. Operator was operating the vessel when they left their friends and were traveling approximately 50 mph downstream back to the access area. 
  
  Operator stated approximately 100 yards from the access area, there was an explosion from the engine compartment. Witnesses stated they heard a loud noise then saw the boat splinter into pieces. Both occupants were ejected from the vessel and were picked up by a passing pontoon boat. The occupants were transported by ambulance to Johnson City Medical Center. 
  
  Operator suffered serious injuries that required several days of hospitalization; Subject1 suffered minor injuries and was released the same day. The vessel sank immediately after the incident with only a few pieces of the vessel being recoverable. 
  
  Operator consented to a blood draw shortly after arriving at the hospital and upon examination from the TBI lab no alcohol or drugs were found to be present.
  