RedactedNarrative: The Sheriff's Office received a report of a boat collision on Big Birch Lake. Deputies arrived at the landing to find multiple people with injuries that needed transport to the hospital. Ambulance and rescue personnel, along with a DNR Conservation Officer were requested.
  
  A pontoon boat carrying a number of victims from WC #2 came to the landing. Rescue personnel assisted in the medical needs of the injured parties from WC #2. Operator #2 and his infant child were transported by ambulance. WC #2 was tied off at the lake shore and a deputy spoke to the owner of WC #2, who was also a passenger. He stated the lights on WC #2 were operational at the time of the crash. He was transported to the hospital, along with another passenger from WC #2. 
  
  A deputy then went to the hospital to talk to Operator #2, who stated that he was traveling at a low rate of speed with six passengers on the pontoon boat (WC #2). They were traveling east when a speed boat (WC #1), traveling at a high rate of speed through the channel, struck WC #2 on the right side. Operator #2 stated that WC #1 was traveling at a high rate of speed and there was no way to get out of the way.
  
  While at the boat landing, deputies talked with a number of parties involved in the incident, but were unable to contact the operator of WC #1. It was discovered that he was staying at an address on the south end of the lake. A deputy went to that location and spoke with parties from WC #1. A number of people from WC #1 were also injured and multiple ambulances were dispatched to assist. He spoke with the sister of Operator #1.
  
   She stated that she transported her brother by watercraft from the residence that WC #1 had been towed to and brought him back the this cabin prior to the deputy's arrival. When asked if the deputy could speak to him, she and other members of the family stated that the operator had left the residence on foot and they weren't sure where he went. The deputy asked them to have Operator #1 call him as soon as he was available.
  
  The deputy made contact with Operator #1 the following day. He stated that he had left the residence prior to the deputy's arrival because he was shook up and needed time to think. He said he was traveling from the cabin with 6 other people on board. He was heading towards the north end of the lake when he struck WC #2. He stated he did not see WC #2 and believed that it did not have lights on it. Prior to speaking with Operator #1, the deputy made contact with a passenger of WC 1 in the hospital waiting room. He stated that he believed WC #1 was traveling at approximately 3/4 throttle and that the incident happened so quickly that he did not believe Operator #1 was able to swerve to miss WC #1. Another passenger from WC #1 had also been taken to the hospital.
  
  It is unknown if there were life jackets on board WC #1, or if they were being worn. WC #2 had life jackets on board, but it is unknown if they were being worn. It is suspected that Operator #1 may have been drinking, but since he fled prior to deputies arrival there is no BAC. There was extensive damage to WC #1 but dollar amount is unknown. WC #2 was a Total Loss. The incident was referred to the county attorney for criminal charges.
  