RedactedNarrative: On April 21, 2020 at approximately 1058 hours CST Officers responded to a report of a non-injury boat collision on Green River Lake near Smith Ridge Boat Ramp in Taylor County.  At approximately 1203 hours CST we made contact with OPERATOR 1 who was the operator of a 2012 Lowe 20ft center console aluminum vessel, with Kentucky registration number KY-0637-LN (Vessel 1).  OPERATOR 1 stated that he was fishing with his father on Green River Lake.  OPERATOR 1 advised that he was rounding a bend in the lake traveling out of Robinson Creek towards the main part of the lake. OPERATOR 1 advised that he was looking across the lake considering whether or not to cross in order to fish.  OPERATOR 1 stated that he was not looking where he was driving and struck OPERATOR 2 and PASSENGER 2 in Vessel 2. 
  I then spoke with OPERATOR 2, who was the owner and operator of a 2015 17.5ft Nitro Z6 fiberglass vessel with Kentucky registration KY-0727-WC (Vessel 2).  OPERATOR 2 stated that he was stopped in his boat fishing with his friend. OPERATOR 2 advised that he was in the front of the boat fishing PASSENGER 2 was sitting in the swivel chair fishing in the back. OPERATOR 2 stated that he saw OPERATOR 1 approaching his vessel and noticed that he was traveling directly towards him. OPERATOR 2 advised that he attempted to get OPERATOR 1’s attention by yelling and waving but did not succeed in getting OPERATOR 1’s attention. OPERATOR 2 stated that OPERATOR 1’s vessel struck the center of his vessel at the steering column which caused him to be ejected from the vessel. PASSENGER 2 was also ejected from OPERATOR 2’s vessel.  PASSENGER was ejected from OPERATOR 1’s vessel as well.  I then spoke with PASSENGER 2. PASSENGER 2 gave the same account as to what happened as OPERATOR 2. PASSENGER 2 advised that OPERATOR 1’s boat did strike his right leg and caused some discomfort but PASSENGER 2 advised he did not want any medical treatment.
  All individuals were able to get back in their vessels safely and drive their boats from the location that the accident happened, more specifically these GPS coordinates Lat N37.29692 Long W85.27901 to Smith Ridge Boat Ramp. None of the individuals involved in the accident had PFDs on at the time of the collision.  They did however, have them in each vessel. 
  Once at Smith Ridge Boat Ramp I inspected each vessel and photographed them.  Vessel 1 (OPERATOR 1’s vessel) had moderate damage to the vessel which included a bent eye bolt and a significant dent to the underside of the vessel.  I then inspected Vessel 2 (OPERATOR 2’s vessel).  Vessel 2 had significant damage to the center of the boat above and below the rub rail on the right side of the boat.  The interior of the vessel also had significant damage, including sever damage to the steering column, and cuts in the driver and passenger seats.  There was also damage to the left side of Vessel 2 above the gunwale.
  On April 28, 2020 I followed up with OPERATOR 2 in reference to an estimate of the damage to his vessel.  OPERATOR 2 advised that the insurance company considered his boat a total loss and is going to, “replace” the boat. OPERATOR 2 also advised that he went to the doctor the following day for a, “checkup” and did not have any injuries other than muscle soreness. OPERATOR 2 advised that PASSENGER 2 also went to the hospital the next day and was diagnosed with a, “dent to the knee” and “brain bleed”.  I attempted to call PASSENGER 2 multiple times and left a voice mail but have not been able to speak with PASSENGER 2at this time. 
  *** All parties refused medical attention at the time of the collision.  I also did not see any visible injuries on any of the subjects involved. 
  *** In my opinion the major contributing cause of this accident was inattention.  OPERATOR 1 was looking at the other bank on his left side and was approaching the point coming out of Robinson Creek on plane.  OPERATOR 1 did not notice the boat fishing off the point, which caused him to collided with the OPERATOR 2's vessel.
  
  