Notification of the accident was by a third party when he found v1 operator and passenger lying on the riverbank with substantial injuries. Upon arrival on scene v1 was partially submerged with only about 2 ft of the bow sticking up out of the water, resting against a moored barge. Damage and transfer indicated that v1 struck the barge almost head on. 

Upon interview of the operator at the hospital he advised they launched v1 at approximately 10pm 8/22/23 to test the boat after doing repairs on it.  He further advised as they were traveling down the river, he turned around and struck an unknown object (the moored barge). 

He located the passenger and floated her to the bank on a seat cushion.  He said they had been on the bank for quite awhile as he yelled for help. Once v1 was recovered the following day it was determined to be stolen out of montgomery co, two years ago. 

V1's bow was broken in several areas, the windshield was shattered and both the operator and passenger's seats were stripped from their bases in the floor. Upon interview of the passenger, she advised the operator picked her up and when they got to the river, he used the battery from his truck to start v1. 

She confirmed the operator's statement that as they turned around in the river, they struck something.  She also advised that the operator had been in possession of v1 for approx. 2 years coinciding with the same amount of time v1 has been stolen.  Criminal charges are pending for the operator and he was also charged with failure to keep a proper lookout. *due to time delay between the accident occurrence, victims being located (4 - 5 hours later), etc. Operator was not tested however, during the interview it was admitted that alcohol had been consumed earlier during the night of the incident.

ARKANSAS RIVER
PINE BLUFF                    