RedactedNarrative: General Synopsis:
  On April 12, 2017 I responded to a boat accident on Watauga Lake in Carter County, Tennessee. I arrived at Rat Branch Boat Ramp approximately 1900. When I arrived on scene, I determined that there were two vessels involved in an accident near the mouth of a cove outside the entrance to Cove Ridge Marina. Both individuals were the single occupant on PWC''s that they were each operating. Both vessels are owned by the mother of operator1. Upon collision of the vessels, both vessels were inoperable and a nearby boater was able to transport both operators and Vessel 1 back to Rat Branch. Vessel 2 was secured to the bank near the scene of the accident and was later retrieved by myself. Upon arriving at Rat Branch, Operator1 was transported by EMS to Johnson City Medical Center for injuries that he received from the accident. Operator1 had visible lacerations and bruising to his left leg. He was evaluated and released later that night from the hospital. Operator1 received further medical treatment at a later date and was determined to have a torn ACL, PCL, MCL, and meniscus in his left knee and arterial damage resulting in a low pulse in his left leg.
  
  Summary of statements provided by Vessel Operators: 
  Both vessels were launched together at Rat Branch Boat Ramp and traveled up stream. Upon approaching the Highway 67 Bridge, both vessels made a left turn and stopped at a nearby point. The area in which the vessels stopped is at the mouth of a cove outside of Cove Ridge Marina. After stopping for less than five minutes, Operator1 departed on Vessel 1 at approximately 5-10mph. Shortly thereafter, Operator2 departed on Vessel 2 traveling in the same direction. Vessel 2 was traveling behind and to the port side of Vessel 1. Both vessels were headed from the cove further upstream when Operator1 decided to change direction and head towards Cove Ridge Marina. Vessel 1 slowed down and started a sharp left turn towards the marina. Operator1 was unaware of the exact location or distance to Vessel 2 at the time.  When Vessel 1 turned, it immediately came into the path of Vessel 2. Operator2 let off the throttle on Vessel 2, but was unable to slow the vessel enough to avoid collision. Vessel 2 continued on its path and then impacted the port side of Vessel 1. On impact, the vessel struck the left leg of Operator1 causing injuries and continued on to the top of Vessel 1. Operator1 was ejected from his vessel on impact. Operator2 was able to stay on his vessel but swam to a nearby boat when his began to flood and sink.
  
  Damage Assessment:
  Vessel 1 sustained damage to the steering console and hull near the location of the seat. The console is broken from the vessel and is connected only by the wiring harness. Plastic from the hull is broken away from the vessel. The seat was also dislodged from the vessel and was not recovered. Vessel 2 sustained damage to the bottom front of the hull. There are cracks and a hole approximately 14 inches in diameter in the hull that caused the vessel to flood.