RedactedNarrative: Detailed Narrative
  On May 18, 2015, at approximately 1550 hours, I, Ranger First Class (RFC), was called to the scene of a personal water craft (PWC) incident at West Dam Park on Clarks Hill Reservoir. I was participating in annual firearms training at the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office training center when I received the notification.
   
  Captain said that deputies obtained statements from three female witnesses, who had observed the incident and had made an attempt to rescue the victim.  At approximately 1450 hours, the witnesses said a white male was operating his PWC at a fast speed toward the dam. The witnesses said Victim made a sharp left turn and was ejected into the water. They said Victim surfaced briefly then disappeared. The witnesses made an attempt to locate Victim but were unsuccessful. At approximately 1455 hours, COE Ranger was driving in the area and spotted the PWC and two of the witnesses in the water. The third witness approached Ranger and described the incident. Ranger made the 911 notification. At approximately 1515 hours, COE Rangers arrived on scene by their patrol vessel. Rangers towed Victim's PWC to Beach 1.
   
  I photographed the scene, Victim's PWC, and obtained the witness statements. Severe weather halted all efforts for the evening. At approximately 1830 hours, Victim's PWC was returned to the boat ramp at Lake Springs Park by members of the Columbia County Dive Team. I photographed Victim's PWC and vehicle in the parking lot at Lake Springs. In Victim's vehicle I observed a 30 pack of Busch Light beer in the passenger floor board and a personal flotation device (PFD) on the back seat. Officer met with Victim's family and released his property to them at approximately 1920 hours. At approximately 1930 hours, I left Lake Springs Park and travelled back to the Columbia County Sheriff's Office training center.
   
  The search for Victim continued for the next fifteen days and involved eighteen Conservation Rangers from Region III, two pilots from the DNR Aviation Unit, and the COE Rangers. Four DNR vessels were used to search the incident area including the Side Scan Sonar vessel. On June 2, at approximately 0640 hours, a COE Ranger observed Victim's body floating in the search area near Beach 2 of West Dam Park. Corporal responded to the scene and COE Rangers moved Victim's body to the shore.  The kill switch lanyard was attached to Victim's left wrist. The Columbia County Coroner's office responded and Victim's body was transported to the GBI Crime Lab for a pending autopsy.
   
  Conclusion
  Based on witness statements, evidence obtained as well as my knowledge, training and experience the facts show that on May 18, 2015 Victim was operating his PWC while not wearing his PFD at approximately 1450 hours in the area of West Dam Park Beach 1 on Clarks Hill Reservoir. Victim made a sharp turn to port and was subsequently ejected. Victim drowned moments after entering the water as was described by three witnesses to the incident. Pending the results of an autopsy, alcohol consumption by Victim may have been a contributing factor. Victim's failure to wear his PFD is the primary contributing factor for his death in this incident. I base this conclusion on the evidence and information currently provided. Any new information could cause this conclusion to change.
  
  
   