RedactedNarrative: On 07/23/17 at approximately 1:30PM, I [CPO] was patrolling the Dupage River just downstream of the W. Shepley Road bridge, south of W. Canal Road, when heard yelling coming from upstream.  
  
  As the group passed, I observed as a dark colored, overturned aluminum jon boat floated down stream.  Also in the water were two subjects, later identified as operator1 and v1 occupant1.  One of the subjects was clinging to a floating cooler and the other was attempting to get to a second jon boat, occupied by operator2 and v2 occupant.  I drove my squad downstream, and equipped with a wearable pfd, a throw line, a type IV throwable pfd and a pair of waders, waited for the group to float by.  A short time had passed and they did not float by.  I drove back upstream and located the group, who were standing in a shallow portion in the center of the river, gathering their belongings.  I instructed the group to attempt to recover their overturned boat and I would meet them farther downstream, where I needed to talk to them.  I drove downstream and waited for their arrival.  
  
  When they arrived at my location, they had not yet recovered the boat, which was floating in front of them.  I instructed the four subjects, who were all now in the second aluminum jon boat, to abandon the overturned boat and come to my location, which they complied.  Inside the jon boat, which bore expired Illinois registration "IL 4631 AH" were four wooden paddles (one of which was broken), a plastic zip lock bag containing misc personal items and a large cooler containing ice, water bottles and a boat drain plug.  There were no wearable or throwable PFD''s inside the boat and none of the subjects were wearing any either.
  
  When asked what happened, the group explained the two jon boats, each occupied by two subjects, were tied together floating downstream.  They noticed the sharp bend in the river ahead, untied the boats and attempted to paddle away from the fast approaching rock wall, unsuccessfully.  Vessel 1 stuck the wall, and Vessel 2 subsequently struck Vessel 1.  
  
  Additionally, v1 subjects fell out of the boat after the impact.  When asked about the condition of Vessel 2, one subject stated there were approximately 4 or 5 holes in the hull of the boat, as a result of the incident.  Both boats were borrowed a family member.  When questioned about any other personal effects that may have been lost in the incident, the subjects stated they were able to gather all their belongings and did not lose anything.  When asked specifically if they had any life jackets on board either boat, they stated they did not, and were unaware they were required to have them.  When asked if either of the jon boats had water usage stamps, the brothers were unaware of what I was referring to and were unaware of whether the boats had them or not.  The subjects stated they had not been drinking at all.  I did not notice any odor of alcoholic beverage on any of the subjects as we spoke.
  
  I obtained contact information from all four subjects and told them they were free to load their equipment in their vehicles and leave.  I informed them I would be contacting them at a later date for follow up interviews.  I broke contact with the subjects and continued downstream looking for the abandoned boat.  At one point I observed the boat as it floated past me and continued downstream, but was unable to recover it.  Multiple attempts were made over the next few days to locate the abandoned jon boat, unsuccessfully.
  
  FURTHER INVESTIGATION AND ENFORCEMENT ACTION PENDING.
  