RedactedNarrative: On June 23rd, 2022 I, Montana Game Warden, responded to a report of a boat accident at Tiber Reservoir near the Tiber Marina.  The accident involved a personal watercraft (vessel 1) and a boat (vessel 2).
  The following report is the findings of the investigation:
  	Vessel 1 had two occupants aboard, and vessel 2 had three occupants aboard the vessel.  Prior to the accident the operator of vessel 1 said that they had drank five or six alcoholic beverages throughout the day.  A blood warrant was served on the operator of vessel 1’s blood and it was then tested for BAC that came back to a .069BAC.  The blood was taken approximately two plus hours after the accident had occurred.
  	The location of the crash was significant as it occurred near the marina and boat ramp.  The operator of vessel 1 was boating that day with a group which included a person operating a PWC and several people on a pontoon.  The other vessels were also within the vicinity of the crash.  The operators of these three vessels pleasure boating in proximity to the boat launch, while not being actively involved in launching or loading was a factor in the crash.  The operator of vessel 2 approaching the boat ramp on plane into a crowded area, and in-between other vessels was also a contributing factor in the crash.	
  	Based on interviews of occupants and examination of the vessels, investigators determine that vessel 2 collided with the starboard aft of vessel 1 in an overtaking maneuver.   It was determined that vessel 1 was being overtaken by vessel 2.  Vessel 2 was overtaking vessel 1 at approximately 20 yards, when vessel 1 made a slight right turn, putting it into the course of vessel 2.  The operator of vessel 2 noticed this turn too late and collided with the starboard aft of vessel 1, throwing both the operator and occupant of vessel 1 into the water.  The operator of vessel 1 did not see vessel 2 overtaking them until it was approximately 10 feet away on the aft starboard side of the vessel.  Operator of vessel 2 was not paying enough attention to vessel 1 and the maneuvers the vessel was making.  The operator of vessel 2 stated they had turned to talk with a rear occupant shortly before the crash.  Both vessel 1 and vessel 2 made evasive maneuvers to avoid a more serious crash, vessel 1 turned toward their port side and vessel 2 turned toward their starboard side.  Both operators were not paying attention to their surroundings, and this was a factor in the accident. The operator and occupant of vessel 1 were both wearing lifejackets, the occupant of vessel 1 was a child wearing an adult lifejacket. Both occupants of vessel 1 received injuries from the accident, the operator had a broken back and head lacerations and the occupant received two head lacerations. No occupants of vessel 2 received injuries.  
  Contributing factors of the crash by vessel:
  Vessel 1:
  1) Operator inexperience
  2) Operating for pleasure in a congested area, in front of the boat launch
  3) Alcohol intoxication
  4) Operator inattention
  Vessel 2:
  1) Operator inattention
  2) Operating at high speed in congested area/ in between vessels
  Possible violations of Montana Code Annotated:
  Vessel 1:
  MCA 23-2-531. Personal watercraft operation. In addition to applicable provisions in this part, a person may not operate a personal watercraft:
  (1) unless a person operating or riding on the vessel is wearing a United States coast guard approved type I, II, III, or V personal flotation device;
  (5) in a reckless or negligent manner. Actions prohibited in 23-2-523 are considered reckless operation.
   MCA 23-2-523. Prohibited operation and mooring -- enforcement. (1) A person may not operate or knowingly permit a person to operate a motorboat or vessel or manipulate waterskis, a surfboard, or a similar device or other contrivance in a reckless or negligent manner so as to endanger the life, limb, or property of a person by:
  (a) engaging in
  