On February 19, 2023 at approximately 7:38 p.m. I, Cpl., was contacted through LDWF Dispatch and advised that a boating incident that had occurred on Bartholomew Lake.

At approximately 7:53 p.m. Deputies of the Ouachita Parish Sheriff's Office contacted Operator and Occupant at the Barrett boat landing and advised them that a Wildlife and Fisheries Agent was on the way to investigate this accident.

At approximately 8:01 p.m. I arrived at Barrett boat landing. I contacted Operator and Occupant and identified myself as an Enforcement Agent and advised them that I would be investigating this incident. Operator stated that he was the owner and operator of the vessel involved, now on its trailer.

Operator and Occupant voluntarily gave oral statements of the incidents events. I advised Operator that I would be taking pictures of his vessel now and would need to take some later on during the day. Operator was also given an Operator Boating Incident Report to complete. I took a written statement from Occupant, of the accident. 

There was no indication of drug or alcohol impairment from Operator. 

Operator sustained a minor laceration to the neck and his passenger reported no injuries.

On February 19, 2023 at approximately, 7:24 p.m. Operator was operating a vessel, on Bartholomew Lake when he lost control of the vessel. Operator 's vessel stuck a tree on the starboard side bow and on starboard side aft, just before the transom. Operator was able to drive it back to the Barret's Boat launch.

The area where this incident occurred was narrowed by a boat house on the south bank and trees on the north bank. I believe Operator made a wider turn than he intended to around this boat house which caused his vessel to travel closer to the trees than he expected. Operator then over corrected to avoid the trees causing him to lose control of his vessel and strike a tree.  

Based on verbal and written statements along with physical evidence, I believe this incident occurred for the following reasons:
1. Rules of the Road for Vessels: 
    #16 - All vessels shall be operated at reasonable speeds for given conditions and situations and must be under the complete control of the operator at all times.

    #13 - In a narrow channel, vessels will keep to the right of mid-channel.

2.Time of Day:
    This incident occurred at night.
Bartholomew Lake
Sterlington                   