RedactedNarrative: Just before 9:00 PM on August 10, 2019 a boating collision between two vessels occurred on the Cumberland River at the Smithland, KY riverfront. Both vessels were from Illinois and both vessels had 4 occupants; according to interviews, all individuals were friends and had decided to spend the evening boating together. The collision occurred on their way back from Lake Barkley as they were trying to return to Paducah riverfront where they had launched their boats. 
  
  Vessel #1, a 2018 26' Four Winns powered by a 300 HP Yamaha 4-stroke outboard, was being operated at the time of the accident. Vessel #2, a 2004 20' Caravelle powered by a 240 HP Inboard/Outboard Mercury, was being operated. According to interviews and witness statements, both parties had been unexpectedly held up while trying to lock thru Barkley Dam resulting in after-sunset navigation thru darkness back to Paducah. 
  	
  	At the time of the accident, Vessel #2 was the lead vessel being operated by Operator2. According to witness statements and interviews, they had stopped their boat just downstream of the Smithland boat ramp to "put the front cover on." (Witness Statement) When Vessel #2 had slowed down off plane enough for the occupants to begin moving within the boat, they immediately noticed Vessel #1 approaching at a high rate of speed and at a very short distance from behind them. Vessel #1 struck Vessel #2 at the swim deck on the starboard side. The keel of the 26' Four Winns continued to travel straight forward and just inside the starboard gunwhale directly at operator of Vessel #2. 
  Vessel #1 struck Operator2 who was sitting down in the operator's seat, inflicting serious physical injury. It then continued through the windshield of the Caravelle before veering off to the right and breaking contact where it finally drifted into the bank of the nearby Cumberland Island. As a result of the collision, Vessel #2 continued to drift downriver while Vessel #1 was unable to start its outboard engine. In the immediate aftermath, both parties were briefly able to communicate via Marine Radio 13 and the victim was discovered to have sustained life-threatening injuries. Individuals from both vessels called 911 starting the Emergency Response process. (See attached Dispatch Cads in "Attachments")
  
  	Follow up interviews with Operator1, as well as witness statements from occupants in Vessel #1 indicated that Vessel #2 did not have a brightly lit anchor light. Operator1 described the other vessel's light as "very dim" & unable to be seen beyond a short distance away.  On a follow-up interview with an occupant in Vessel #2, it was stated that the anchor light was working properly as it always has. 
  
  	While responding officers with KDFWR were not able to see the victim's injuries firsthand, EMS described them as severe lacerations to his lower back region and left of the spine consistent with suspected propeller damage resulting in high amounts of blood loss, injury to various vertebrae and ribs as well as internal organs (intestine) actually falling out of the abdominal cavity. High amounts of muscle and tissue damage were present as well. Post-accident investigation of the two vessels involved did indicate to officers that most injuries sustained by Operator2 were likely from the stainless propeller from Vessel #1. The last inquiry made as to the condition of Operator2 was on 8/18. As of that date, Operator2 had made remarkable progress after undergoing multiple surgeries and was expected to be released from the hospital in due time. 
  
  	Vessel #2 sustained significant and heavy damages from the impact; mainly along its starboard side from the swim deck thru the front windshield and along the starboard gunwhale. The steering console area saw a high concentration of damage. Vessel #1 saw relatively minor damage, most of which was along the port side slightly below and behind the registration number as well as some visible loss of gelcoat along and around its keel. Paint transfer was evident on both vessels in the areas of contact and especially evident on the lower unit of Vessel #1's outboard engine just in front of the propeller. However, there was no visible damage to the stainless steel propeller itself.