RedactedNarrative: On September 4th, 2022, at around 0130 hours I, Game Warden, received a call from Jasper County Communications about drowning on Lake Jackson. I responded to the call and arrived on the scene around 0230 hours by vessel. When I arrived Jasper County Sheriff's office and Jasper County EMS were on the scene by land at the Point off Landers Ln in Jasper County. Newton County Search and Rescue were also on the scene by vessel with the vessel that the victim was on. 
  
  I contacted the victim’s vessel and began to investigate the incident. I discovered the operator of the vessel. I asked Operator what happened, and he explained that they were on an evening cruise on their vessel headed back to their residence. There were ten passengers on board the vessel. Operator stated that he was traveling just above idle speed. Four passengers were riding in the front of the vessel, two passengers riding in the captain’s seat, and four riding in the back of the vessel including the victim. 
  
  He explained that they left their residence at about 2300 and traveled to the mouth of the Yellow River and turned around and headed back home. Operator said they were almost back to the house when a passenger that was riding in the back of the vessel with the victim, turned to look at Victim and he was gone. Subject1 informed Operator that Victim was not there, and Operator turned the vessel around to look for him. They found the hat that Victim was wearing floating in the water and marked that location on their GPS that was on the vessel.
  
   They called 911 and reported the incident and continued looking for Victim until Newton County SAR team arrived. While talking with Operator I smelled an odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from his breath. I also noticed that Operator eyes were bloodshot and watery. His speech was clear but slow. I asked Operator if he had drank any alcohol and he stated that he drank some wine earlier that day at a UGA football event. I asked Operator if he would put on a lifejacket and step in my boat so I could make sure he was safe to operate the vessel. He complied and put on a lifejacket and stepped in my vessel. 
  
  After testing, operator was arrested for BUI alcohol.