RedactedNarrative: Preliminary narrative based upon witness statements who rendered aid and spoke with operator:
  
  On the morning of July 6, 2021, Operator1 was operating his 2020 20 foot SeaArk bass boat on Cherokee Lake in Hamblen County.  At approximately 0300 hours Operator1 was navigating down stream in the vicinity of Pt 8 at Panther Creek State Park.  Operator1's vessel struck the island on starboard side of bow and ejected him into steering console.  
  
  Operator1 regained consciousness and was able to call a friend for help.  Witnesses found Operator1.  They stated they found vessel on the island at 0630 hrs with Operator1 conscious and alert.  Operator1 was sitting in floor of vessel.  He stated he was having trouble breathing and could not move his legs.  Operator1 had an approximately 4-5 inch cut over left eye and swollen left eye.  They were able to free vessel from island and drove both boats to Grainger County Park.  Operator1 was flown to UT hospital. *** Based upon operator and witness statements:
  
  On the morning of July 6, 2021, Operator1 was operating his 2020 20-foot SeaArk bass boat on Cherokee Lake in Hamblen County.  Operator1 stated he had been out all-night catching bait to striper fish.  He sent a picture of bait tank to his brother-in-law at 0400 hours and left his slip located at Greenlee Campground in Grainger County.  He went straight out of cove and made a right-hand turn to travel downstream towards the dam.  Operator1 stated he was traveling at 4,000 – 4,500 rpm which is about 27-30 mph on his boat.  At approximately 0430 hours, Operator1 struck the island North West of Pt 8 at Panther Creek State Park. The angle of impact was approximately 45 degrees to the bank.  Vessel sustained heavy crushing to starboard bow.  Upon impact Operator1 impacted and crushed steering wheel and console.  Console was freed of vessel except steering controls. He does not remember hitting island and suspects he fell asleep at the wheel.  He stated, “I woke up when subject2 called me (0540 hours) asking me if I wanted to fish.  I told him I’m hurt bad and on the bank. I don’t know where I am.”
  
  Two people came to assist Operator1.  They found him laying in bottom of his vessel with a cut over left eye, having trouble breathing, and unable to feel legs.  At this time, they pulled his vessel off island and drove him to Grainger County Park.  Operator1 was flown to UT Knoxville for treatment and was released later that night.
  