On 7/09/23 I, Officer of the Maryland Natural Resources Police, received a call for service from DNR Communications to respond for the following: boat accident with at least two people injured, one black in color pontoon vessel with teenagers onboard was involved in the accident and did not stop at the scene, several intoxicated people were at the scene, Maryland State Police, Somerset Sheriff's Office and Princess Anne EMS were responding, as well. I advised DNR Communications the following information: I am responding, notify the United States Coast Guard(USCG), and to see if USCG would respond to look for the pontoon boat, I also asked DNR Communication to have Crisfield Police Department to check the local boat ramps for a vessel matching the description.

 When I arrived at the scene at Rumbley Boat Ramp, I observed the following: Princess Anne EMS personnel were attending to the two injured patients (one white male and one white female, and both were alert/conscious), Somerset Sheriff's Office Deputies were gathering information, and approximately 4-6 people standing by the boat ramp. 

I was approached by a female subject, and she stated the following: she was the person that called 9-1-1, she was advised not to call 9-1-1 by people on the boat, and the female patient being treated was her friend. 

I asked Subject1 if she could tell me what happened, and she said yes. She stated the following: she and her friends were leaving the beach and were heading back to Goose Creek. Operator2 stopped the vessel and another vessel struck them in the rear/right side (starboard) of the boat. The force of the impact caused V2 occupant1 to get ejected from the boat and into the water. 

Another passenger had his right knee pinned between the two boats. Passengers on Operator2' boat were able to retrieve V2 occupant1 and transported the injured subjects to Rumbley Boat Ramp. I asked Subject1 where I could locate the vessels involved in this incident and the operators for them. Subject1 responded with the following: they aren't coming back, and no one would say anything. I asked Subject1 to elaborate, and she said that she can't because no one wants to get into trouble. Subject1 would not identify the other operator. She stated that everyone was mad at her for calling 9-1-1 and would not talk to her.  I asked Subject1 if she would complete a voluntary written statement, and she said she would. It should be noted that Subject1 was very hesitant to cooperate, she did not know where the accident had taken place, did not want to name the operator for the other vessel, and I detected the smell of an  alcoholic beverage on her breath and person.

 I was approached by another female, stating the following about the incident: she did not witness the accident, she was with the people involved at the beach, her brother, Operator2, was the vessel operator when his boat was hit, she cannot locate her brother, she attempted to call and text him, but no response, the two vessels that were involved in the accident were her brother's and Operator1 boat. 

I asked Subject2 where were the vessels that were involved in the incident, and she replied that she did not know. I requested Subject2 to notify me when her brother contacts her, he needs to see me immediately, and she replied she would. Subject2 remained at the scene to consult with other witnesses and MSP while looking for her brother. It should be noted that while talking to Subject2 about the whereabouts of her brother, unidentified Princess Anne EMS personnel approached us and stated the following: one vessel was pulled out of the water via boat trailer and was sitting at the corner of Claude Hall Rd and Rumbley RD and the other vessel (dark in color center console) was tied up at Goose Creek Marina. Subject2 and I walked to the location of the vessels, and we were approached by the injured male.


 V2 occupant2 notified me that he was refusing medical treatment. V2 occupant2 stated that his left shoulder and his right knee were hurting badly but did not want to get it checked out. I asked V2 occupant2 if he could tell me what happened and V2 occupant2 stated the following: they were in the area of Dynamite Ditch (Mine Creek) on Operator2 boat, returning to Rumbley Boat Ramp, Operator2 slowed the boat down, a vessel struck Operator2' boat on the stern (rear) and continued down the starboard side of Operator2' boat, briefly pinned V2 occupant2's right knee between the two boats, and the impact of the accident ejected V2 occupant1 from Operator2' boat and into the water. I asked V2 occupant2 if he could tell me where everyone was positioned on the boat prior to the accident and V2 occupant2 stated the following: Operator2 (operator) was behind the wheel of the vessel, V2 occupant2 was standing on the right side of Operator2 on the starboard side, and three others were sitting in the bow of the boat. V2 occupant2 was not sure about the striking vessel, and he was hesitant when being asked about the suspect's vessel. I asked V2 occupant2 if he would be willing to complete a written witness statement, and he said yes. While talking to V2 occupant2, I observed Subject3 walking towards the car and made contact with him.

 I asked Subject3 if he could tell me what happened, and he said the following: Subject3 and his friends were in the area of Dynamite Ditch on Operator2 boat, they were returning to Rumbley Boat Ramp, Operator2 (operator) slowed the vessel down and was hit by another vessel in the back of the boat, his girlfriend (V2 occupant1) was ejected from the boat, and he went to retrieve her. I asked Subject3 did he know the boat or operator that hit Operator2' boat, and he initially said no and avoided eye contact. 

I asked Subject3 was the other vessel involved in the accident at the Marina or in the area. Subject3, still avoiding eye contact said no. I stated to Subject3 we are trying to locate the vessel/operator responsible for the accident because his girlfriend and V2 occupant2 were reporting significant injuries. Subject3 made eye contact with me and pointed to a blue in color vessel that was tied up in the slip. I asked Subject3 to specifically identify the vessel since there were approximately 10 boats in the direction of where he was pointing. Subject3 stated the blue in color vessel with the red in color canopy (red in color pop-up tent). 

I asked Subject3 did he know the vessel operator, and he said yes, it was Operator1. I asked Subject3 was Operator1 the owner of the vessel, and he said yes. Subject3 stated that he knew Operator1 and that it was an accident. I asked Subject3 if there was anyone else on Operator1 boat, and he did not answer the question. I asked Subject3 would he be willing to complete a written statement, and he said yes. 

It should be noted that Subject3 was very hesitant with his answers. Subject3 made it very clear that he just wanted to see V2 occupant1 and did not know the location of Operator2 or Operator1. While talking to Subject3 I detected the smell of an alcoholic beverage on his breath and person and advised him to get a sober operator to take him to the hospital. Subject3 was walking towards the vehicle to our right, a black in color pick-up truck, with an unidentified black male in the driver's seat and a white female in the rear passenger seat on the driver's side with the door open and talking to CPL, of the Maryland Natural Resources Police.

 I overheard the unidentified white female yell at CPL and I turned to see if she has any significant information for this incident. The unidentified female made the following statements to Cpl and I: she was on the boat during the accident, but would not identify which boat or who she was with, she stated she wants to leave and go be with her injured friends and not sit here and talk wit
25763 Rumbley Rd, Westover
Westover                      