RedactedNarrative: On 7/22/2021 at approximately 07:30 AM, Maryland Natural Resource Police received a call from Maryland Natural Resource Police dispatch for a boat accident on Deep Creek Lake. Dispatch advised that one individual was injured and seeking medical treatment at Garrett Regional Medical Center. I arrived at Garrett Regional Medical Center at approximately 08:10 AM. The staff at the hospital advised the individual was admitted at approximately 06:52 AM and had been released at approximately 07:59 AM. The individual was being transported to Ruby Memorial Hospital by his family. I was able to contact the individual who called in the accident and was also the injured victim, OPERATOR 1 at approximately 08:15 AM. OPERATOR 1 was currently heading to Ruby at this time.
  OPERATOR 1 stated that he was on the lake water skiing with his two sons and a friend. OPERATOR 1 was operating his vessel a white and red 2003 Correct Craft Ski Nautique. PASSENGER 1 was in the water waiting to ski. OPERATOR 1’s sons were onboard the vessel as observers. PASSENGER 2 was seated next to OPERATOR 1 and PASSENGER 3 was towards the stern in the center of the vessel. They were skiing off the shoreline of Blakeslee across from the yacht club. OPERATOR 1 said that at approximately 06:20 AM a green vessel ran between his vessel and the skier snagging the ski rope. OPERATOR 1 provided me with the vessel registration of the green boat as MD6446CR. OPERATOR 1 was standing up trying to get the operator of the other vessels' attention to get him to stop. The rope snapped and hit OPERATOR 1 in the face injuring his right eye. The operator of the other boat did stop but OPERATOR 1’s party told him to just leave. OPERATOR 1 said his vessel was located in, Oakland, Maryland 21550. After speaking with OPERATOR 1, I went to the Oakland location and found his vessel, and took pictures for my report.
  Maryland Natural Resource Police dispatch was able to run the vessel registration. MD6446CR registration came back to a green 2016 Malibu 22VLX registered OWNER 1. I arrived at the address at approximately 09:00 AM and spoke with OPERATOR 2 parent. OPERATOR 2 stated that her son OPERATOR 2 had texted her after the incident saying he was involved in an accident. OPERATOR 2 continued saying that OPERATOR 2 told her it was very foggy and he didn’t see them and when he tried to stop and talk after the accident the individuals on the other vessel just yelled at him. OWNER 2 said that OPERATOR 2 was going to visit a friend. I told OPERATOR 2 that I would be back later to get a statement from OPERATOR 2 and speak with him.
  I returned to the residence at approximately 12:10 PM. OPERATOR 2 parent was outside the residence along with her husband. OWNER 2 said that OPERATOR 2 is very shaken up over the incident. OWNER 2 also said that he would like to consult a lawyer prior to OPERATOR 2 giving a statement. OWNER 2 did allow me to take pictures of the vessel for the report.
  At approximately 02:00 PM, I received a call from OWNER 2. OWNER 2 asked about the condition of the victim and arranged a time of 11:00 AM on 7/24/2021 for me to meet with OPERATOR 2 and get a statement.
  At approximately 02:15 PM, I received a call from OPERATOR 1. OPERATOR 1 stated that he sustained trauma to his eye but due to the bleeding, the hospital was not able to access the extent of the damage. OPERATOR 1 was going back to Ruby Memorial Hospital on 7/23/2021 for further evaluation. I scheduled a time to meet with OPERATOR 1 and his sons on 7/24/2021 at 09:00 AM at his residence.
  
  At approximately 06:14 PM, I received a call from OPERATOR 2. OPERATOR 2 requested information on how OPERATOR 1 was doing. I informed OPERATOR 2 that there was no update at this time and the extent of his injury.
  On 7/23/2021 at approximately 07:10 PM, I received another call from OPERATOR 2 in reference to OPERATOR 1’s injury. I told OPERATOR 2 that I still did not have an update for him.
  On 7/24/21 at approximately 09:00 AM, I arrived at OPERATOR 1’s house. OPERATOR 1 along with his two sons (PASSENGER 2 and PASSENGER 3) were at the residence. I took statements from all three individuals about the events of that morning. I left the residence at approximately 10:00 AM.
  At approximately 10:45 AM, I arrived at the OPERATOR 2 residence. There I met with OPERATOR 2 and his parents to take his statement. At approximately 10:50 AM, I read OPERATOR 2 his Miranda Rights and explained the Voluntary statement.
  After speaking with OPERATOR 2 about the incidents of the morning. His accounts of the morning and events that transpired coincided with the information OPERATOR 1 provided. The only discrepancy was the weather that morning. OPERATOR 2 stated that the lake was very foggy and it was his first time navigating on his own in the fog. OPERATOR 2 went on to say that he would frequently wipe off his windshield but was still having difficulty seeing. He was sitting at the driver's seat but it is a power-adjustable seat allowing him to see over the windshield. OPERATOR 2 said that when he saw the boat he attempted to pass the boat. While passing the boat he saw the skier in the water and drove between the skier and the other vessel. When he noticed the ski rope in the water he turned the throttle off to avoid getting the rope tangled in his prop. Both OPERATOR 2 and OPERATOR 1 operated their vessels after the accident. OPERATOR 2 went to his friend's house and OPERATOR 1 went to a nearby dock.  I left the residence at approximately 12:30 PM.
  Concluding my investigation the weather that morning was foggy in the coves but did have sufficient visibility in certain areas of the lake. Sunrise was at 06:08 AM. The location in question appeared to have adequate visibility to support water skiing. The inexperience and negligent operation by OPERATOR 2 was the primary cause of the accident. I will be filing charges at a later date. All events occurred in Garrett County, Maryland.
  