RedactedNarrative: On monday 5/30/22, at approximately 4:55pm, a boating incident occurred on badin lake at the mouth of gar creek directly across the channel from the old whitney boating access area.  The vessel was owned by operator.  The incident occurred when the vessel struck a dock at a high rate of speed.  Operator was ejected from the vessel and suffered severe injuries.  Operator was the only occupant of the vessel at the time of the incident. 
  
  Operator stated that he and a friend had begun their day bass fishing at the high rock lake in rowan county at approximately 5:00am.  The pair fished until approximately 10:00am when the left hig rock lake and went to eat breakfast.  According to operator, the two separated after their meal.  Operator stated that he was upset that he had not caught any fish and decided to travel to circle drive access area on badin lake.  Operator launched his vessel and continued to fish on badin lake alone.  Operator fished on badin lake until approximately 4:55pm when he decided to relocate to whisper lake drive to continue fishing.  Operator stated that he could not recollect any more details about the rest of the day, including the events leading up to the incident, due to his sustained injuries.
  
  Multiple witnesses were in the area at the time of the incident.  They stated that operator's vessel was traveling at a high rate of speed, approximately 50 mph when it collided at a right angle with the dock.  Operator's vessel struck the dock, ramped and struck an unoccupied vessel sitting on a boat lift.  Operator was ejected from his vessel and was thrown over the boat on the lift and into the water.  The witnesses sprung into action and jumped in to assist operator, who was face down in the water and not wearing a pfd.  The witnesses called 911 and assisted operator until first responders arrived.  Multiple witnesses detected a strong odor or an alcoholic beverage coming from operator's breath during their interactions with him.  First responders arrived and operator was transported via helicopter to wake forest baptist medical center where he was treated for a collapsed lung, four broken ribs, a broken left forearm, and a laceration to his head.
  
  Investigators with the ncwrc arrived on the incident scene within 5 minutes of receiving the call.  They spoke with witnesses and took their statements.  While examining the incident, investigators located an empty bottle of an alcoholic beverage and a misdemeanor amount of marijuana on board the vessel.  On 6/9/22, a search warrant was executed for operator's medical records, including the toxicology report at the time of his arrival at the medical facility.  The toxicology results indicated tht operator's blood alcohol level was nearly three times the illegal per se limit of .231.  The toxicology report also indicated the presence of thc, (the active ingredient in marijuana) and opiates.  On 6/10/22, operator was interviewed about this incident, in which he stated that he was a daily user of marijuana, but denied consuming any alcohol.
  
  It appears this incident was the result of both alcohol and drug impairment.  Operator has been charged with boating while impaired, reckless and negligent operation of a vessel, simple possession of marijuana, and possession of marijuana paraphernalia.
  