RedactedNarrative: On Saturday, June 26, 2021, I was dispatched to a boating accident involving a personal watercraft that had occurred on the Wicomico River in the area of the Whitehaven Ferry. I was advised that the injured party was ashore. Upon my arrival, EMS and fire department personnel from the West Side Fire Department were already on scene attending to the victim. At the time, two personal watercraft were tied to the dock. I met with a witness, who advised that the red, black, and white Yamaha Waverunner (MD 2834 CT) was the vessel that was involved in the incident. I was told Waverunner was operated by the individual being treated by EMS and that there was one other passenger. I asked the witness what he had witnessed and he stated that the Waverunner had hit the wake of another vessel at about a forty five degree angle and the Waverunner dug in and ejected the riders of the right side of the Waverunner. I asked if he was aware or had been told how the laceration to the operators leg occurred. WITNESS advised that he was not sure, but pointed to the throttle control area of the Waverunner and pointed out that there appeared to be blood and perhaps other bodily tissue on the throttle control.
       I next located the passenger and asked if he had any injuries as a result of the incident. He advised that he did not have any injuries. I asked if he could advise what had occurred. He advised that they were traveling up river and possibly hit a wave and the next thing he knew, they were in the water and OPERATOR 1 had a cut on his leg. I asked if he could provide any other information and he stated that he couldn't remember most of the incident. I asked where they were coming from and he stated from a friend's house and that they had be at Bull Lips (Bull Lips Dock Bar). 
       I located the operator of the second personal watercraft that was tied to the dock and asked if she had witnessed the incident. She advised that the Waverunner was much faster that the personal watercraft that she was operating and that she had lost sight of it before the accident. I asked where they were coming from before the incident. She advised that they had come from her friend house and had proceeded to Bull Lips. After leaving Bull Lips, they were going back up river to the Wicomico Yacht Club to get fuel before heading back to friend’s house. I asked if she had consumed any alcoholic beverages today and she replied that she had one at Bull Lips. I asked if she knew if the operator of the Waverunner had consumed any alcoholic beverages this evening and she stated that OPERATOR 1 also had one drink. I asked if she knew OPERATOR 1's full name and she stated that she did not. I asked who owned the personal watercraft that she was operating, and she stated that it was owned by her friend's parents. She stated that her friend had been her passenger on the personal watercraft, but that she probably could not provide much information because she was drunk. 
       Another officer arrived on scene and I asked him to stay with the other parties to arrange for the personal watercraft to be returned to their point of origin. I advised that the operator of the Waverunner had been transported by the West Side Fire Department ambulance to Tidal Health in Salisbury, and that I would be enroute to meet with the operator.
       After arriving at Tidal Health, I met with the charge nurse and was directed to one of the examination rooms. After entering the examination room, I observed the same individual that had been treated by EMS at the dock. I introduced myself and stated that the only information I had been given was that his name was OPERATOR 1. He provided his full name. I asked if he had been the operator of the Waverunner personal watercraft and he stated yes. I confirmed that his passenger had been named. I asked if he could explain exactly what had occurred. He stated that they had been traveling at a high rate of speed and possibly hit a wave or wake, but that he couldn't really remember and the next thing he knew he was in the water. He advised that at some point while being ejected, that he struck the Waverunner and ended up with a laceration to the inside of his right thigh. I asked where he was coming from prior to the accident. He said that they were leaving Bull Lips and heading to the Yacht Club to get fuel. I asked how long he had been at Bull Lips and he advised about thirty minutes. I asked if he had consumed any alcoholic beverages today or while at Bull Lips. He advised that he had one drink at Bull Lips. I asked if it was a beer or mixed drink and the approximate size. He moved his hands about five inches apart to indicate the size and stated that it was all liquor.
       During my conversation with OPERATOR 1, I noticed a slight odor of an alcoholic beverage, but we were both wearing face masks at the time of the conversation. I observed that his eyes were very glassy. I advised that I could not conduct the standardized field sobriety test battery due to his laceration and being located on the gurney, but advised that I was going to conduct the horizontal gaze nystagmus test. I observed a lack of smooth pursuit in both eyes, distinct and sustained nystagmus at maximum deviation in both eyes, and onset prior to forty five degrees in both eyes. I explained to OPERATOR 1 that I could not complete the normal test battery and asked if he would submit to a blood test. OPERATOR 1 advised that he would submit to a test of his blood. I proceeded to my patrol vehicle and retrieved a blood specimen test kit. I returned to the emergency room and asked for a nurse to assist. While waiting for the blood to be drawn, I read the NRP-482 (Advise of Rights) form to OPERATOR 1 and he signed the form at 6:45 p.m. agreeing to take the test. The blood was drawn and given to me at 7:07 p.m. I explained to OPERATOR 1 that the blood specimen would be sent to the lab for analysis and I would be in contact when the results were returned.
       I proceeded to the Johnson Office to prepare the blood specimen to be sent to the Maryland State Police Crime Lab, Chemical Test for Alcohol Unit. Charges are pending the return of the lab results. 
       All events occurred in Wicomico County, Maryland.
  