Upon conducting interviews with the owner and passenger of vessel 2 , it was stated that they were drift fishing for catfish in the vicinity of Otter Creek on the Ohio River. Officer 1 approached the vessel from the starboard side during a vessel stop for compliance checks. The passenger of vessel 2 reeled in his line so that Officer 1’s vessel could come along side. Vessel 2 owner asked the officer if he wanted him to engage spot lock on his trolling motor. According to vessel 2 owner, Officer 1 said yes. 

According to vessel 2 owner and passenger, Officer 1 approached the vessel at near a 90-degree angle and hit the vessels trolling motor with the bow of his vessel. Officer 1’s vessel then hit the starboard side of vessel 2 causing damage to the side and rub rail. Officer 1 then hit the starboard side of vessel 2 with his engine while pulling away from vessel 2 according to owner and passenger.

Vessel 2 owner and passenger found the damage to the starboard side of vessel at the boat ramp after taking vessel out of the water.

Officer 1 has no recollection of vessel stop and causing damage. Officer 1 stated that soon after that vessel stop, he was dispatched to a drowning and then a domestic call.

-Officer 2
Ohio River
WEST POINT                    