RedactedNarrative: On March 11, 2017, I, Ranger First Class with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division Critical Incident Reconstruction Team (DNR LED CIRT), was contacted by Lieutenant (DNR LED CIRT) in reference to a possible fatality boating incident in Rockdale County that occurred the previous date. Lt. said Sergeant (DNR) was currently on scene (Black Shoals Park/Lake Randy Poynter) I responded to the incident and arrived on scene at 1054 hours. 
  
  Upon arrival, Sgt. gave me information from Corporal (DNR LED), the first responding DNR LED officer. Next, I spoke with the occupant of the vessel. Occupant appeared to be upset because no one responded or assisted when he first called about needing a battery for their vessel. (See video) Occupant said he, his son, Subject2, and the victim were fishing in a boat between 1230-1300 hours when the battery to the trolling motors stopped working. 
  
  Occupant said they paddled to an island and Victim called another person to have him bring a battery to the lake. Occupant said the other person brought the battery to their location, which was at a house near the dam. Occupant said within half an hour the new battery stopped working. Occupant said water started coming into the boat and at first they tried to scoop it out with a “night crawler” (aka a worm container) bucket. 
  
  Occupant said, water started coming in on both sides of the vessel and Victim said “dude bail”. Occupant explained his son was seated at the bow, Victim at the stern, and he was in the middle of the vessel. Occupant said Victim “got ahead of me” while swimming. Occupant said when he and his son got out of the water they started screaming for Victim. Occupant said he and his son started walking but thinks they walked in circles. Occupant said his son woke him up when he saw flashing lights. 
  
  Occupant said he was treated at the hospital for hypothermia and for a small amount of water in his lungs. Occupant said he was not wearing a personal flotation device (PFD) and wasn’t sure if any PFD’s were on the vessel. Occupant said the weather was windy and the water was choppy. (See video)
  
  At 1327 hours I had a search warrant for the vessel involved signed by Rockdale Magistrate Judge.
  
  Next, I met with Victim’s wife, who said Victim could swim and has not taken a boater safety course.
  
  Next, Sgt. and I drove to the area near the dam, where the involved vessel was located. Upon arrival I observed the vessel with the hull side up. (The vessel was turned upside down) The vessel was a 1969 Sears, green in color, john boat bearing Georgia registration, GA 1036 UU. I noticed a scratch and possible gouge on the hull. (See photographs)
  
  After returning to the boat ramp I spoke with Victim’s wife about getting the boat trailer off of Victim’s truck. Victim’s wife said she wanted access to Victim’s truck but was told by a Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office (RCSO) Captain that it was part of the investigation.  Victim’s wife said her daughter told her it looked like someone tried to “break” into the truck. I told Victim’s wife that I would discuss releasing the truck issue with RCSO investigators but she needed to speak with RCSO if she wanted to file a report in reference to someone possibly breaking into the truck. I talked with Sgt. and we determined Victim’s truck was not needed for further investigation into the boating incident. I spoke with Investigator, (RCSO) and he did not need the truck for investigative purposes. Also, I informed Investigator of the information I received from Victim’s wife about the possible break in. While Investigator and I talked with Victim’s wife about the truck, Sgt. located a one hundred dollar bill in a grassy area approximately 20 feet from the truck. Investigator was video recorded by Sgt. collecting the mone…
  