On October 4, 2023 Sgt. and I, Cpl., received a complaint of a boating accident that had not been previously reported. The complainant stated that his dock was struck by a pontoon boat on the night of September 4, 2023. The complainant provided a name and contact information of the operator of the vessel that struck his dock. On October 4, 2023, Sgt. and I made contact with Operator to question him about the boat accident. Operator was advised of his Miranda Rights, and he stated he understood his rights. Operator admitted that he was operating the vessel when it struck the dock. Operator also admitted that he had been drinking the evening that he crashed his vessel into the stationary dock. Operator provided the following as an account of the accident. 
            On the night of September 4, 2023 at approximately 11:00pm, Operator was operating a Veranda pontoon boat on the Ouachita River. The pontoon boat is a 26'8" vessel powered by a Yamaha VMAX 250. Operator exited the Ouachita River and turned west to enter the mouth of Darbonne Bayou. Near the mouth of Darbonne Bayou, Operator claims he struck something with his vessel. The impact caused a loss of steering capabilities. The loss of steering caused the vessel to hit a dock located on the north bank of Darbonne Bayou. Operator stated that he did not report the accident because he planned on taking care of all the damages himself, however, after a month he had not taken care of any damages he caused. After an investigation and photographing the vessel operated by Operator, I could not verify his claim that he hit an object causing him to lose steering capabilities. The only damage to the vessel appeared to be from the impact with the dock.

Darbonne Bayou
West Monroe                   