RedactedNarrative: On June 12 2021, at approximately 1:00 am, LDWF Dispatch was notified by Jackson Parish Sheriffs Office of a two vessel collision in the Smith Branch Arm of Caney Lake in Jackson Parish. Jackson SO stated that a deputy was on scene.  I Cpl. and SA arrived shortly after.  Upon arrival, Deputy of the JPSO stated that the subjects on Vessel 2 stated that they were sitting stationary with everything off when a boat out of nowhere struck their boat. Deputy stated that one passenger had a deep laceration to the forehead and had been transported to Glenwood Medical Center. Deputy provided a written statement. (See attached Supplemental).  Vessel 1 operated by Operator 1, stated that he and a friend were traveling north from one fishing hole in Smith Branch to another.   He stated they were following behind another vessel a short distance ahead of them.  Operator 1 stated that he had gotten up on pad and decided to veer left (East) of the other vessel when they struck an object which sent them airborne and back into the water.  Operator 1 stated after landing, he did not see any navigation lights before they struck the object but heard someone yelling out afterwards. 
  
  He stated that they went back to help whoever was yelling when he realized that he had struck another vessel.  Vessel 2 was operated by Operator 2, Operator 2 stated that he and three other friends were sitting stationary in Smith Branch when they noticed a small red light coming towards them.  He stated that his navigation lights were operational, and were on before the collision.  He stated that he stood up waving his arms and yelling to the other boat when it struck them and went over the top of them.  Operator 2 stated that after the boat struck them, it returned to help them get to the bank.  Voluntary written statements were provided by both operators and the four passengers of each vessel.  (See attached Boating Accident Voluntary Wittness Statement form).
  
    
                Vessel 1 initial contact point was at its lower hull just below the bow.  Vessel 2 initial contact point was at the starboard bow. At this point, Vessel 1 ramped Vessel 2 traveling over Vessel 2 crossing over it at the stern. Vessel 1 a fiberglass bass boat, was observed to have what appeared to be paint transfer and some scratches on its hull at the lower bow keel and paint transfer on the lower unit of the motor. Vessel 2 a fiberglass ski boat was observed to have damages to the front starboard side at its bow, deck windshield crushed and damage to the  stern and stern all-around white light.
  
  
                Vessel 1 had a total of 2 people on board. Operator 1 was seated in the driver’s seat and Occupant 1 was seated in the passenger seat, neither sustained injuries.  Vessel 2 had a total of 4 people on board.  Operator 2 was seated in the driver’s seat and was not injured.  Occupant 2 was seated in the passenger seat. He sustained small cuts to his right hand when he jumped off the boat during initial contact with Vessel 1. Occupant 2 was offered medical treatment for his injuries but he refused.  Victim 1 was seated in the middle back deck near the stern.  Victim 1 was not injuried.  Victim 2 was lying down on the front starboard side near the bow.  Victim 2 sustained a deep laceration to her forehead during the initial contact of Vessel 1.  Victim 2 was transported to Glenwood Medical Center in West Monroe.  Photographs were taken of all injuries sustained.  (See attached Photo Log).
  
    
                Each operator had field sobriety tests performed on them by an Agent from The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division.  SA performed field sobriety tests on Operator 1 and I performed field sobriety tests on Operator 2.   Neither Operator 1 nor Operator 2 showed any signs of impairment.  Operator 1, 2, and the four other passengers were given the opportunity to submit written statements.  Operator 1 and Occupant 1 of Vessel 1 completed their statements with SA.  Operator 2, Occupant 3 and Victim 1 of Vessel 2 completed their statements with me.  Victim 2 was located at Glenwood Medical by Cpl. and completed her statement. (See attached Boating Accident Voluntary Wittness Statement form). 
                  Do to the serious injuries sustained by Victim 2, both operators, Operator 1 and 2  were read their Miranda Rights.  They both stated they understood and were asked to submit to a Blood Alcohol Analysis.  Operator 1 was transported to Jackson Parish Hospital by SA and voluntarily gave a blood sample.  Operator 2 refused and a search warrant was issued at 6:30 am by Judge for Operator 2's blood.  Operator 2 was transported to Jackson Parish Hospital for a Blood Alcohol Analysis by Cpl..  Both Operator 1 and 2 blood were negative for ethyl alcohol.  (See attached Blood Alcohol Analysis).
  
  
                  Vessel 1 was seized from Hooks Marina and transported to LDWF Region 2 office and Vessel 2  was siezed and transported to the Region 2 office for futher investigation. Upon investigating the vessels at the Region 2 office, it was observed that Vessel 1 was equipped with a hot foot and had two GPS/Sonar monitors mounted on the drivers side console.  Damage as well a paint transfer was observed on the keel guard and hull. Scratches and paint transfer was also observed on the motors lower unit.
  
  
               Vessel 2 was observed to have bowlight damage from the collision. The bowlight was crushed and it's fuse was found to be blown.  After replacing the fuse to the bowlight wires power was detected at the two wires.  The sternlight was bent towards the stern and transom. The sternlight bulb filament was observed to be broken with the filament facing towards the transom.  We were unable to determine if the sternlight was operational at the time of impact due to the damage.  The sternlight bulb was seized into evidence.  Wires (paddle connectors) to the sternlight base were found to be disconnected from the base.  The base wirings when reconnected were lose fitting and showed no power to the base.  After the fuse was replaced, power was then detected at the base.  Crushing damage was observed on the starboard bow, which was determined to be the first point of impact.  Damage was also observed at console, console windshield and stern.
  
   
                Contributing factors of the accident are no proper lookout, restricted vision and operator inattenion.  Operator of Vessel 1 was travleing at a rate of speed during the night time conditions that did not allow him to maintain a proper lookout for Vessel 2 and make a safe stop at a safe distance.  The two monitors mounted on the console would not allow a full field of view and the light emitted from those units restricted the operators vision at the time and conditions of operation.   The night time conditions with onshore lights, other boat lights and lights from the console monitors all play a role in the amount of attention needed to safely navigate  in night time conditions.  Do to the contributing factors of the accident as well as injuries to Victim 2, Operator 1 was cited for RS: 14:99 Reckless Operation of Watercraft.