RedactedNarrative: V1 was traveling NW in a canal and struck a tree that was sticking up out of the water, throwing an occupant against the live well. 
  On Sunday, December 14, 2014, at approximately 1425 hours, I, Officer, with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, was on patrol with officer, also with FWC, when we heard dispatch call officer about a boat accident involving one individual that was transported to Gulf Coast Hospital. Officer1 went to the hospital to check on the injured individual, later identified. Officer and I were close to the vessel so we went to talk to the operator of the vessel, later identified.
  We arrived at approximately 1440 hours, Officer1 arrived at the hospital close to the same time. Operator was there with the vessel, a 1978 gray bass boat (FL 5115 CX). I spoke to Operator about the accident and damage to the vessel. There was bark/wood transfer on the left side of the vessel on the bow and along the rub rail to the stern of the vessel. The bow light was bent backwards and there was a cleat that was scraped off the gunwale. The interior of the vessel had large pieces of bark and wood debris in it. I asked Operator about the accident. He stated that they were fishing in the steamplant canal. They were leaving at about 1:00 P.M. and he was driving the boat since Victim had been drinking. Victim was sitting in the front of the vessel on the left side, facing the stern of the boat. Operator could not see a large dead tree that was sticking up out of the water on the left side of the canal, pointing towards the middle of the canal. Victim was struck in the back by the large branch and spun around clockwise. He tried to brace himself in the boat while the branch was still pushing him backwards. His left hand was smashed between the gunwale and the tree as the vessel was still moving. Victim was thrown into the vessel landing against the live well, with a large branch laying on top of him in the vessel. Operator lifted the branch off of him and drove his boat back to the boat ramp. Victim wanted to be taken to his doctors house. His doctor was not home, but the doctor’s wife was there. Victim was starting to pass out, so she recommended that he go to the hospital. An ambulance came and transported him to the hospital.
  We spoke to Officer1, who was at the hospital with Victim. The two stories about the accident were very similar and the injuries matched what damage we saw with the vessel. I asked Operator if he would fill out a sworn statement. He stated, "Yes". I read him his Miranda Warning from prepared text. He stated that he understood and still wanted to talk to me. He completed a sworn statement, (see attached statement). I took photographs of the vessel, (see attached pictures). 
  I went to the hospital to see Victim, who was still being examined. I took pictures of his injured left hand. Officer1 left the hospital. The doctor stated that he had no broken bones and they were waiting for more test results to come back. I left the hospital, since Victim was heavily medicated and not really communicating.; Victim's left hand was smashed during the incident and has a long cut on it from index finger up the back of his hand. His right knee, right arm, back and neck are bruised. Went to hospital, was examined, no broken bones or other major injuries.