On 05/27/23 at approximately 10:00 A.M., I, Cpl. of the Maryland Natural Resources Police, responded to a PWC accident that occurred on the South River, near land address. The reporting party advised that there was one P.O.B. in the water as a result of the PWC colliding with a pier. 

    Upon my arrival at land address, I observed the victim lying on the shoreline receiving medical treatment by EMS personnel. EMS personnel were attempting to stabilize Victim and were applying a tourniquet to his right leg. Shortly thereafter, EMS personnel advised Victim was going to be transported to Shock Trauma in Baltimore due to the seriousness of his injuries (EMS run# 2023-36571). Ofc., of the Maryland Natural Resources Police, responded to Shock Trauma to provide updates on Victim's condition. 

    Once Victim was transported, I investigated the scene, and observed a PWC, which would be fully identified as a 2018 BRP PWC, white and black in color, bearing MD registration, floating against the shoreline at land address. I observed that the entire top portion of the PWC was destroyed, to include the cockpit area such as the handlebars, forward controls, dash area, seat, etc... I further observed that the bow of the PWC suffered extensive damage to include the plastic shrouding being torn away from the port-side bow area. I observed several pieces of debris floating in the water which included the PWC's seat, plastic fragments, and the PWC's front hatch cover. 

    After investigating the damage to the PWC, I interviewed the only witness to the accident. Witness was also the owner of the PWC involved in the accident. Witness stated at approximately 9:30 A.M., he assisted Victim with lowering the PWC off of the boat lift and turning it around, so it was facing away from his dock. Witness stated that Victim started the PWC, and in less than a minute, he observed Victim accelerating towards the neighboring dock, at a speed of approximately 15-20 knots, before ultimately striking one of the pylons on the neighboring dock. It should be known that the distance between the two docks was approximately thirty yards. Witness stated that Victim was knocked off of the PWC and was floating on his back in the water, all the while remaining conscious. Witness stated he immediately jumped into the water and dragged Victim to shore. Witness advised that when he got Victim to shore, he was still conscious, but his face was bloody, and his right knee was torn and bleeding. Witness attended to Victim until EMS arrived. 

    I asked Witness how long he knew Victim and if Victim was competent to operate a PWC. Witness stated he knew the family for approximately "four" years because he sponsored Victim's brother, who had just graduated from the Naval Academy; however he had only met Victim a few times when he would visit from out of state. I asked Witness if he knew how many times Victim had operated a PWC, and he answered "maybe a few." I asked Witness if victim had consumed any alcohol and/or drugs prior to operating the PWC, to which he stated "no." I asked Witness if the PWC had any history of mechanical malfunctions that could have caused the throttle to remain wide open. Witness stated he wasn't aware of any mechanical issues with the PWC and stated they had just recently used the PWC with no issues. 

    Witness stated the PWC was valued at approximately $7500 and was insured by USAA insurance. Witness removed the PWC from the water and was going to keep it on a trailer at his residence for safekeeping. 

    Prior to leaving the scene, I observed blood spatter on a vessel that was secured to a boat lift which was attached to the same dock that was struck by the PWC. The blood was located on the bottom, starboard-side of the vessel. I further observed that the mounting brace, on one of the stabilizer poles of the boat lift, was damaged. The impact caused the brace to rotate and move from where it had been originally mounted. There was also a scratch on the boat lift as a result of the accident. 

    I interviewed the owner of the boat, and instructed him to let me know if his vessel was damaged due to the impact from the PWC as well as any other damage that may have occurred to his boat lift. He valued his vessel at approximately $90,000 and the boat lift at approximately $15,000. 

    Upon Ofc. arrival to Shock Truama, he learned that Victim had suffered fractures to his skull, face, and right leg. Ofc. stated that Victim was going to undergo further testing for other additional injuries. 

    As of this report, Victim was still known to be at Shock Trauma in critical condition with the aforementioned injuries. 

    No charges have been filed, and this case is considered closed, pending updates on Victim's medical condition. 

    All events occurred in Anne Arundel County, Maryland.
1533 Widows Mite Rd, Edgewater
Edgewater                     