RedactedNarrative:      On May 21, 2016, at approximately 1930 hours, I, Corporal (CPL) of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division – Critical Incident Reconstruction Team (GA DNR LED CIRT), received a call from Lieutenant (LT) GA DNR LED CIRT) telling me I was assigned as the case agent for a boating incident that occurred in Hall County, Georgia on Lake Lanier on May 21, 2016. The incident involved a single ski vessel which included one victim who was ejected from the vessel and suffered severe cuts to his legs, possibly to include an amputation.  I was off duty on this date and told LT.  I would investigate the incident on May 25, 2016.  
  
       On May 25, 2016, I received the witness statements Corporal (DNR LED) received at the boating incident scene on May 21, 2016.  I looked over the statements and scanned them into a file on my computer.  I started processing the vessel that was located at our DNR LED facility at Aqualand.  The vessel is a 1991 Master Craft - Mari Star 210 open motor boat, white and blue in color.  The Hull Identification number is MCCSLGX8A191.  The Georgia boat registration decal (GA 6476 XR) was located on the starboard and port side of the vessel.  The required registration letters and numbers were not displayed on either side of the vessel.  I photographed the vessel inside the warehouse, just as I found the vessel.  I then pulled the vessel out of the warehouse and proceeded to take more photographs.  I found one (1), white in color, cell phone located in the passenger side glove compartment.  The operator’s dash was broken with several original dash indicators tucked in behind the broken area.  The hour meter read 0786 hours.  I photographed the interior seating area; including the side pockets and under the seating compartment.  The capacity plate rated the vessel to hold 11 persons, or 1535 pounds.  I located an expired registration card.  The expiration date was 01/31/2012. I found a black plastic bag located in the bow seating area with one (1) unopened, Coors Light 12 oz. beer can, one (1) empty, Natural Light 12 oz. beer can, one (1) empty, Natural Light pint can, two (2) empty, Corona Extra bottles, and one (1) evidence bag containing one (1) Natural Light empty can seized by Corporal (DNR LED).  I located two (2) type II personal floatation devices (pfds) and one (1) type III pfd on the vessel.  There were three (3) ropes located in the stern compartment under the seats.  There was dried blood on the stern of the vessel behind the seating area and before the swim platform.  One (1) Hydro Slide was on board that measured 4’3” long.  Under the bow seating area, I located a wet t-shirt, white in color, inside out, with Georgia Southern text.  It appeared to be stained with blood.  I laid the t-shirt on top of the passenger windshield to dry.  One pair of brown flip flops were located under the starboard side bow seating area.  I photographed the motor; it looked to be the original motor.  I photographed the motor serial number: INDMAR Engine Serial Number – IF91899; 95-0305; Drive Serial Number – 00933 – Marine Engines. (See photos and photographic log).  I placed the vessel back in the storage facility inside the warehouse and secured it.
  
       On June 1, 2016, I returned to look at the vessel documenting all contents on board the vessel. I measured the vessel, “ske tube”, ski ropes and photographed them.  University of North Georgia (UNG) college intern assisted. (See evidence measurement log).
  
       On June 10, 2016, I reviewed supplemental statements I received from responding DNR LED Officers.  I reviewed the witness statements CPL. provided.  On June 18, 2016, I downloaded the photographs to the case file.  I documented 106 photographs onto two photographic evidence logs. (See Photographic Evidence Logs 052516 & 060116).
  
  On June 30, 2016, I spoke with father of the victim. Victim’s father told me Victim was enduring infections due to his surgery and was still in the hospital receiving treatment. Victim’s father told me he would try to have Victim provide a statement as soon as he could provide one. I told Victim’s father I would contact him the following week. On July 12, 2016, I received a text message from Victim’s father stating Victim has been through additional surgeries. Victim’s father said he was still working on providing me with a written statement. Victim’s father said Victim was heavily medicated due to all the surgeries. Victim’s father said he would provide me with the medical records, but they could not be released until Victim was discharged. On July 19, 2016, I met with Victim’s father. Victim’s father provided me with a written statement from Victim and the medical records received after he was discharged on June 17, 2016. I reviewed Victim’s written statement and medical records on July 21, 2016. (See Victim statement and Medical Records).
  
  On October 7, 2016, I received Operator's blood alcohol and toxicology report by email from Cpl.. Operator's blood alcohol concentration was tested below 0.02grams. Operator's toxicology report indicated positive for marijuana. (See Operator bac/toxicology report - Division of Forensic Sciences (DOFS-GBI) case# 2016-8001989). Based on the physical evidence at the scene and the statements from DNR LED Rangers, witness statements, videos, photographs and medical records the facts show that on May 21, 2016, at approximately 16:20 hours, Operator was operating a Mari Star, Mastercraft Ski boat on Lake Lanier near Bolding Mill Campground. Operator had seven (7), adult male occupants on board. 
  
  All persons’ on board were under the age of 21. All persons’ on board the vessel were consuming alcoholic beverages. While the vessel was in motion, Operator made a sharp, fast turn to the left, that caused the vessel to “power slide” on the water, causing his starboard passenger, Victim, who was riding on the starboard gunwale in front of Operator, to fall out of the vessel. While the vessel continued to slide, the stern of the vessel slid to the right, causing the vessel to run on top of Victim. The propeller cut through Victim’s legs, below the knees causing a traumatic amputation to his left foot and a significant degloving injury to his right leg. Victim also received three (3) deep wounds to his posterior left thigh. The occupants on board assisted Victim with getting him back on board the vessel. A witness at the campground called 911 at 16:24 hours. DNR LED Rangers arrived at the scene at approximately 17:00 hours. Paramedics arrived on scene and attended to Victim. Victim was life-flighted by helicopter to Grady Memorial Hospital where he received treatment in the trauma unit. After the boating incident, CPL. arrested Operator for operating a vessel under the influence, littering, and operating a vessel with insufficient pfds. Witnesses observed the illegal alcohol consumption and littering violations. DNR LED Rangers confirmed the alcoholic beverages found in the water were related to the alcoholic beverages located on the vessel. Occupants on board the vessel admitted to drinking alcoholic beverages and were cited for underage consumption of alcohol. The occupants on board were also cited for littering. During the safety equipment inspection, Ranger's confirmed there was only six (6) pfds on board. The vessel was missing two (2) adult wearable pfds. 
  
  Victim’s limbs were non-salvageable. Victim received traumatic amputations below both of his knees. Victim had multiple surgeries as he continued to fight off infections that reoccurred after the initial surgeries to his legs. 
  
  Based on my knowledge and experience it is my opinion, drugs and alcohol were significant contributing factors in the boating incident. Another contributing factor includes the boating violation of riding/allowing person to ride the gunwale. It is probable Victim was not expecting a sharp turn or a jolt from a possible wake that may have occurred. This likely caused him to lose his balance on the gunwale and fall out of the boat while the boat was still sliding to the right from the stern, running on top of him, causing him to make contact with the propeller.
       On May 25, 2016, I received the witness statements Corporal (DNR LED) received at the boating incident scene on May 21, 2016.  I looked over the statements and scanned them into a file on my computer.  I started processing the vessel that was located at our DNR LED facility at Aqualand.  The vessel is a 1991 Master Craft - Mari Star 210 open motor boat, white and blue in color.  The Hull Identification number is MCCSLGX8A191.  The Georgia boat registration decal (GA 6476 XR) was located on the starboard and port side of the vessel.  The required registration letters and numbers were not displayed on either side of the vessel.  I photographed the vessel inside the warehouse, just as I found the vessel.  I then pulled the vessel out of the warehouse and proceeded to take more photographs.  I found one (1), white in color, cell phone located in the passenger side glove compartment.  The operator’s dash was broken with several original dash indicators tucked in behind the broken area.  The hour meter read 0786 hours.  I photographed the interior seating area; including the side pockets and under the seating compartment.  The capacity plate rated the vessel to hold 11 persons, or 1535 pounds.  I located an expired registration card.  The expiration date was 01/31/2012. I found a black plastic bag located in the bow seating area with one (1) unopened, Coors Light 12 oz. beer can, one (1) empty, Natural Light 12 oz. beer can, one (1) empty, Natural Light pint can, two (2) empty, Corona Extra bottles, and one (1) evidence bag containing one (1) Natural Light empty can seized by Corporal (DNR LED).  I located two (2) type II personal floatation devices (pfds) and one (1) type III pfd on the vessel.  There were three (3) ropes located in the stern compartment under the seats.  There was dried blood on the stern of the vessel behind the seating area and before the swim platform.  One (1) Hydro Slide was on board that measured 4’3” long.  Under the bow seating area, I located a wet t-shirt, white in color, inside out, with Georgia Southern text.  It appeared to be stained with blood.  I laid the t-shirt on top of the passenger windshield to dry.  One pair of brown flip flops were located under the starboard side bow seating area.  I photographed the motor; it looked to be the original motor.  I photographed the motor serial number: INDMAR Engine Serial Number – IF91899; 95-0305; Drive Serial Number – 00933 – Marine Engines. (See photos and photographic log).  I placed the vessel back in the storage facility inside the warehouse and secured it.
  
       On June 1, 2016, I returned to look at the vessel documenting all contents on board the vessel. I measured the vessel, “ske tube”, ski ropes and photographed them.  University of North Georgia (UNG) college intern assisted. (See evidence measurement log).