RedactedNarrative: On Wednesday, June 20, 2018, I was contacted by an Officer from the Whiting Police Department about a boat accident that had just occurred at Whilhala Beach.  The officer informed me the victim was already transported to Saint Catherine's Hospital, so I responded to the Hospital.  I discovered Victim was the victim in the crash and he had suffered traumatic head and brain injuries.  
  
  Details of Incident:
  
  	On Wednesday June 20, 2018, at approximately 1320 hours, I Indiana Conservation Officer was contacted by Whiting Police Department about a boat accident that had just occurred near Whilhala Beach in Lake County that involved two personal watercrafts (PWC's).
  
  	Officer stated that he responded to a medical call at Whilhala Beach, where a male subject was unconscious and bleeding from his mouth.  The male was later identified as Victim.  Officer was then informed that Victim's injuries were the result of a boating accident and he notified the Indiana Conservation Officer's Central Dispatch Center, and then contacted me by phone.  Officer informed me that Victim was transported to Saint Catherine's Hospital in East Chicago.  Officer also stated that the PWC Victim was operating was still at the beach, and the family brought the other PWC with them to the Hospital.
  
  	While on my way to Saint Catherine's, I was contacted by Indiana Conservation Officer, who informed me he was on his way to the hospital as well to assist me.  At approximately 1430 hours, we arrived at Saint Catherine's Hospital.
  
  	In the parking lot of the Hospital, I observed one of the PWC's involved in the accident.  It was a black and silver Yamaha PWC with Illinois registration, and had damage to the front and port sides.  The PWC was on a trailer with an Illinois plate and the trailer was attached to a red GMC Acadia with an Illinois plate.  I took photos of the PWC and the damage on it.
  
  	Inside the Hospital, I met with subject1, who was present at the time of the crash.  Subject1 was a family friend and owned the two PWC's involved.  Subject1 stated that he did not personally see the crash happen, but while he was talking to one of the life guards, he heard the crash.  After he heard the crash, he looked into the water and saw Victim laying face down in the water and the other PWC operator, Operator1, was attempting to hold his head out of the water.  Subject1 then stated that the life guard swam out to Victim and brought him onto shore.  Victim was unconscious and bleeding from his mouth, he was still breathing at this time.  I asked Subject1 how much experience Victim had on a PWC, and Subject1 stated Victim has been riding for years.
  
  	I then spoke to the other PWC operator, Operator1.  Operator1 identified himself to me by name and date of birth.  I first asked Operator1 how much experience he had operating a PWC, and he stated less than three hours.  I then asked Operator1 if he could tell me the details of what had happened.  Operator1 stated that he and Victim were riding side by side, Operator1 operating to the left of Victim, and were traveling towards shore.  Operator1 said he did not see Victim beside him and he turned sharply to his right and struck Victim.  Operator1 then stated his PWC came out of the water and went over Victim, when this happened, his PWC struck Victim in the head.  Operator1 said it felt as if he struck a wave and was unable to steer his PWC.  Operator1 continued to say Victim was laying face down in the water, and he held his head out of the water until the life guard grabbed Victim.  
  
  
  the PWC was located on the beach.  It was a blue and white Yamaha with an Illinois registration of IL8048KU.  The PWC had damage to the steering column, port side, and the front plastic.  I photographed the damage. 
  
  Subject2 informed me that he witnessed the crash happen.  He stated that the PWC being operated by Victim was travelling slowly straight towards shore, and that the PWC being operated by Operator1 was travelling at an angle directly towards Victim.  He continued to say that the PWC Operator1 was operating was travelling at a high rate of speed and suddenly struck the other PWC, which sent Operator1's PWC into the air and Victim into the water.  Subject2 then said he swam out to Victim and brought him to shore, where individual assisted with the bleeding.  Subject2 stated Victim was bleeding from his jaw, where he appeared to have a large laceration, as well as blood coming from his mouth.  Subject3 kept pressure on the laceration to control the bleeding, and they checked Victim for any other injuries and only observed a scrape to his left knee.
  
  	On Thursday June 21, 2018, I contacted Victim's Mother to get an update on Victim's condition.  She informed me that Victim is currently in a coma and is being treated for severe head and brain trauma.
  
  	Subject4 sent a video to me.  While watching the video, I was able to see the PWC Victim was operating travelling towards short at approximately idle speed (less than 10 miles per hour).  I was then able to see the other PWC that Operator1 was operating travelling towards Victim at a high rate of speed, Operator1's PWC then struck the port side of Victim's PWC and I was able to observe Operator1's PWC leave the water and travel through the air on the video.  After seeing the video, I determined the cause of the accident was lack of operational experience and operating too fast for water conditions by Operator1.  Although I have gotten a statement from Operator1 and after seeing the video, I am not going to be filing any charges against Operator1 for his operation of the PWC.
  
  	On Tuesday July 3, 2018, I was contacted by Victim's Mother.  she stated Victim is still currently in the intensive care unit, but is able to communicate with his hands and wake up on his own and not with medication.
  
  Victim has far exceeded the expectations the doctors had for him at this point and he is making a good recovery.  Victim was able to walk and talk, but will still be in therapy for some time.  I gave her an IRF request for her insurance before I left.  Operator1 was not present and I have been unable to get into contact with him since the day of the accident.