On 5/20/2023, at approximately 16:46, a collision between two PWCs occurred on Lake Campbell in Brookings County, South Dakota. Two witnesses from shore heard the collision and saw O1 and O2 in the water. O1 was holding onto O2 and waving for help. The two witnesses responded by calling emergency personnel and used a pontoon to bring O1 and O2 back to shore. O1 and O2 were wearing PFDs. When the witnesses arrived at the accident scene, O2 was unconscious. O2 started to become responsive after O2 was placed into the pontoon and brought back to shore.

Moody County SO, Brookings County SO, and Moody County ambulance arrived on scene at approximately 17:03. At 17:14, the Moody County ambulance began transporting O2 to the Brookings Hospital. O2 was then taken by helicopter to Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. 

WCO arrived on scene at approximately 17:15. Before WCO arrived, the witnesses returned to the accident location to retrieve V1 and V2. While WCO waited for V1 and V2 to be returned to shore. WCO spoke with deputies about O2. The deputies noted possible injuries of a broken collar bone and jaw. WCO was told the deputies could smell the odor of alcohol from O2 when O2 was lifted into the ambulance.

WCO spoke with O1 about the accident. O1 told WCO that O1 had two alcoholic beverages. O1 stated he did not have any injuries. WCO checked O1 for impairment through field sobriety tests. WCO saw no signs of impairment. O1 had a PBT of .008.

The following information is based on O1’s statement given to the investigating WCO:
O1V1 was floating facing northwest while waiting for O2V2. O2V2 travelled northwest and arrived behind O1V1. O2V2 splashed O1V1’s port side by making a sharp port side U-turn. O2V2 continued traveling southeast. O1V1 followed O2V2 to attempt a similar maneuver towards O2V2. O1V1 was approximately 10 feet behind the starboard side of O2V2. O1V1 and O2V2 were travelling in a southeast direction at approximately 40-45 mph. O2V2 made a sudden starboard side turn. O1 attempted a port side turn to prevent a collision with O2V2 but collided with the starboard side of V2. O1V1 went over the top of O2V2. O2 was struck by V1 and ejected from V2.

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On 5/22/2023, WCO visited with O2 and O2’s family at the Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. O2 was conscious and stable. O2 did not remember how the accident occurred. WCO received consent from O2 to receive O2’s medical records. WCO noted O2’s injuries for the investigation. O2’s medical records also indicated that a blood sample taken by Sanford Hospital at 20:03 contained a blood-alcohol content of approximately .025%.

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WCOs examined V1 and V2. WCOs determined the damage observed was consistent with the statements given by O1. Based off the statements and evidence, the investigating WCO wrote citations to O1 and O2 for careless operation of a vessel.

EOR

LAKE CAMPBELL
BROOKINGS                     