RedactedNarrative: On September 9th, 2017 at approximately 4:31 PM, I received a call for a vessel accident that had occurred from DNR Communications Center. I was advised that the vessel had struck an object and that people were injured, and that they were on their way back to the owner's address.
  
  I arrived on scene at approximately 4:59 PM, due to the nature of the accident one person was airlifted to Shock Trauma in Baltimore Maryland and the others were being transported by ambulance to Easton Hospital. Due to the chaotic scene, I was only able to get eight people's information, and then they were all taken to the hospital to be evaluated. I got all the information at the scene that I could before everyone left for the hospital. I also took pictures of the vessel and inspected it (see images attached to this report). 
  
  I observed the bow of the boat was caved in towards the center of the approximately 2 feet. The driver side windshield was smashed out completely, I got on the boat to look more, and the entire inside of the boat had blood on it. As soon as I got on the vessel, I also noticed an overwhelming odor of alcoholic beverage could see an empty beer can up in the bow of the boat. Also, the passenger side captain’s chair was broken off of its mounting bracket, and the pole itself was bent. I also observed empty beer cans in the yard around people’s belongings that were taken from the boat.
  
  The operator was identified.  I then headed to the hospital to investigate the incident further and to meet with officers of The Maryland Natural Resources Police who were already on the scene there to assist me in the process.
  
  Once I got to the hospital we began to talk to the victims and asked everyone fill out a witness statement of what they remembered from the accident (all statements will be attached to this report). Cpl. attempted to obtain consent for a sample of blood for a blood chemical test from Operator, but Operator refused the request.
  
  Based on the victim's statements which seem to corroborate each other, the vessel left at approximately 3:00 PM operated by Operator and headed to the mouth of Broad Creek. They then turned around and were heading back to the residence. After the boat came around Deep Neck point heading North-west toward red day marker 6, Operator said that he looked over to say something to his wife, and by the time he looked back ahead they were just about to hit the day marker, and he didn't even have time to react. 
  
  According to witness statements, the vessel struck the piling at approximately 30mph, causing three passengers to be ejected and injuries to all parties on board. After the collision, Operator stated that he put the boat in neutral and then went to the back of the boat to put the swim ladder down to help the subjects back on that were ejected. Once everyone was back in the boat, Operator started taking the boat back to his dock. During this time at least two subjects called 911 to report the accident; he also said due to the damage to the vessel that he had to run the boat on plane to keep the bow from taking on water. 
  
  After reviewing the witness statements it appears alcohol played a factor in this accident. Operator was drinking Coors Light prior to going out the boat. During my time at the scene and on the vessel taking pictures I smelled a strong odor of alcoholic beverage as soon as I stepped foot on the boat, and also observed an empty Coors Light can on the boat as well as approximately 4-5 more around where everyone had placed their belongings in the yard. Also once at the hospital I had 2 unknown parents of victims come up to me and inform me that Operator has a habit of operating his vessel after drinking. Due to his condition though I could not run SFST on Operator, a blood kit was offered at the hospital but was refused.
  
  Most of the injuries given the circumstances on the accident were not very serious, except for one victim who was air lifted from the scene of the accident to Shock Trauma in Baltimore, MD. On the scene she was in and out of consciousness, after she made it to Shock Trauma they discovered that she had a collapsed lung and would not be able to leave for a few days. She was released from Shock Trauma on 9/12/2017. Later in the afternoon I spoke to her and Operator that afternoon when they were on their way back and she was feeling better. She had no memory of the event.
  
  Criminal and Natural Resources charges are pending.  I will document all charges and further investigative action in a supplement report.  All events occurred in Talbot County, Maryland.
  Cancel
  