RedactedNarrative: On 7/1/2014 Operator was operating his vessel (LA-7622-FX) downstream with his passenger/spouse, Occupant1, on the Amite River in Livingston Parish. While cruising the river, Operator1 struck a fixed object (Cypress Tree) which caused an abrupt stop and the death of Occupant1.  Occupant1 made impact with the bow decking which caused extreme trauma/death. Operator sustained facial trauma upon impact of vessel tubing (broken eye socket & cheek bone) which required surgery. Also, Operator suffered a bruised right elbow and ribs located on his right side.  Each subject remained in the vessel. 
  As a result of the investigation, it was determined by Agents that Operator1 was operating his vessel on the river while his attention was focused on the water level inside the vessel near the stern (known water leak/crack in weld).  Operator1s' inattention caused the vessel to impact with a fixed object. Said collision caused minimal damage to the 17’ homemade tiller outboard vessel (severely bent aluminum tubing-approximately $100 value). The vessel was found to be equipped with all the necessary / required safety equipment including PFD’s. 
  PFD’s were not used in this incident. 
  Alcohol was not suspected in this incident per Louisiana State Police Crime Laboratory Blood Alcohol analysis resulting in “No ethyl alcohol detected"