RedactedNarrative: On 9/12/2020 at approximately 2235 hours I was on routine patrol when I received a dispatch call for a boat accident on the Elk River.  I arrived on scene just after EMS was leaving and found two male subjects on the beach next to their vessel.  I was told two passengers had been transported to the hospital for non-life threatening injuries.  I spoke to the owner and operator of the vessel.  He explained that at approximately 2230 hours he was operating a 24 foot Baja Outlaw Go-fast vessel and struck an Aid to Navigation on the Elk River, just off Town Point.  He further went on to explain that his vessel was travelling north from Port Deposit to Chesapeake City at approximately 30 knots.  He was operating outside the channel on the east side of the river when it struck the Aid to Navigation.  OPERATOR 1 wasn't sure what he had struck.  It was determined that OPERATOR 1 struck the Red #20 channel marker.  
  
  The channel markers at this area are marking a turn in the channel.  Red #18 and Red #20 are close together.  If OPERATOR 1 had been operating inside the channel he would have passed the Red #18 channel marker on his starboard side and made a turn towards starboard and proceeded towards the entrance of the C and D Canal.  Since OPERATOR 1 was operating outside the channel OPERATOR 1 took the Red #18 channel marker on his port side and did not turn, hence the Red #20 channel marker was directly off his bow and he struck this channel marker at a high rate of speed. 
  
   It was also a very dark night and since there was a turn in the channel a prudent operator would have slowed down to determine if there were any other vessels or obstructions in the area. OPERATOR 1 did state that he had a navigation app on his phone that he was using but there was a delay in the information.  OPERATOR 1 was approximately 2 miles from the entrance to the C and D Canal, where there is a speed limit of 20 knots at night time due the risks associated with travelling in this area at night.  After OPERATOR 1 struck the channel marker the vessel sustained substantial damage to her port side and started taking on water.  OPERATOR 1 was able to steer and beach the vessel at Town Point, which was only a quarter of a mile south of where he struck the channel marker.  
  
  Upon arrival, I made contact with OPERATOR 1 and PASSENGER 3.  Both subject appeared shocked and shaken by the boat accident.  After I determined both subjects were ok and enquired into the nature of the two female subjects, who had been transported.  I asked OPERATOR 1 what had happened and if he had consumed any alcoholic beverages.  OPERATOR 1 admitting to consuming alcohol earlier in the day.  I inspected the vessel and did not see or detect any odor of any alcoholic beverages.  I asked OPERATOR 1 to show me the required safety equipment so I could see OPERATOR 1 move around the vessel.  OPERATOR 1 located all of the safety equipment to my satisfaction.  I then directed OPERATOR 1 to come up to my patrol vehicle, which was parked on a flat section of asphalt, and using the vehicles head lamps I conducted field sobriety tests.  I conducted the HGN test and detected zero clues.  I then went on to conduct the one leg stand test and detected zero clues.  Based on my training, knowledge and experience I determined that OPERATOR 1 was not under the influence of drug and/or alcohol. 
  
  OPERATOR 1 attempted to have the vessel removed by commercial towing.  However, since the vessel had taken on water and would require air bags to remain afloat if it was towed, it was determined that the vessel could stay on the beach for the evening.  OPERATOR 1 had the vessel safely removed from the water at a nearby boat ramp the next morning, without the use of commercial towing.
  
  I made contact by phone with the duty nurse in the ER at the hospital where the two female passenger who were transported to.  She explained that PASSENGER 1 appeared to have a cut above her eye and PASSENGER 2, was sitting in the hall way and appeared to be ok.  I determined that I would follow up with the female subjects the next day.
  
  The next day I made contact with OPERATOR 1, PASSENGER 3 and PASSENGER 1 and received statements from all of these individuals.  I was unable to make contact with PASSENGER 2.  PASSENGER 1 stated she was seated in the passenger seat next to OPERATOR 1 and had her head down, looking at her phone.  She did not see what they struck but she was propelled forward and hit her head on the console area of the vessel.  She sustained a cut above her left eye.  PASSENGER 3 and PASSENGER 2 were seated in the back seat of the vessel and were thrown forward by the impact and struck the back of the padded front seats.  They did not sustain injuries beyond basic first aid.     
  
  OPERATOR 1 was charged with Negligent Operation of a vessel and two Navigation Rules of the Road violations.  Rule 5, failure to maintain a proper lookout and Rule 6, unsafe speed for the conditions.
  
  All events occurred in Cecil County.