On Saturday, May 27, 2023, at approximately 08:00am, I, Cpl. 1, received a call from the Union Parish Sheriff's Office (UPSO) about a boating accident that occurred on Lake Darbonne in Union Parish. Upon my arrival at Ramp Road, Deputies with the UPSO were already on scene and I witnessed a 15' aluminum vessel with a 15 hp Tohatsu motor lying on the back deck. I noticed blood spatter on the back deck and I was informed the operator had already been transported by Pafford Ambulance Service to St. Francis Medical Center in Monroe. Sgt. 2 arrived at my location to assist with the accident investigation. During my inspection of the vessel, I witnessed a type IV throwable and a type III PFD in the vessel. I witnessed the kill lanyard still attached to the motor and also the loose end was attached to a handle on the back deck with a carabiner. Neither alcohol nor drugs were suspected to be a factor during this investigation. A portion of the serial number tag was torn off and I was unable to get the full serial number for the motor.
             Operator's brother arrived at our location and took possession of the vessel and loaded it on the trailer. Photographs were taken of the vessel at the scene and they are attached to this report. I was advised by the Deputies that they were unsure of the vessel or operator that towed the injured party and damaged vessel back to shore.
             Sgt. 2 and I went to St. Francis Medical Center in Monroe to speak with Operator who was already at the emergency room. Upon our arrival, I made contact with Operator. I advised Operator of his Miranda Rights and he stated he understood them and agreed to speak with me. Operator stated he and his wife, Passenger, were fishing near Hwy 2 close to Forks Ferry boat ramp. Operator said that he had thrown out some fishing noodles and he was going to put his trolling motor in the water and realized it was locked up by a cable. Operator said that the key to unlock it was in his truck. He said that they started heading back to the truck with the outboard motor running. Operator said that he was about 40 yards from the channel and he felt the motor hit something under the surface of the water and the motor kicked up out of the water and into the vessel with him. Operator said that he was sitting on the portside of the vessel operating the tiller handle with his right hand. He stated that he was probably going 10-12mph. He said that he looked down and seen that his hand was cut badly by the propeller. He said that he was unsure of how the motor turned off. He said that a guy nearby fishing and another guy in a ski boat came to them and helped them back to the ramp. He did not know the people who helped him. Operator said that he and his wife were wearing their PFDs when the accident happened and that he was wearing his kill lanyard. I provided Operator with the operator boating incident report and asked him to fill it out and return it to me within five business days. Operator suffered a severe laceration to his left hand and also minor bruising and a scratch on his left hip. Operator stated he still had his PFD with him when they were transported by the ambulance.
              I then spoke with Passenger, and she provided me with a witness statement. The statement is attached to this report. Passenger statement claims that they hit something and the motor flew over Operator's head and hit his hand. She said she called 911 and another boat brought them back to shore. Passenger said that she was sitting in the front of the vessel when it occurred.
              On Wednesday, May 31, 2023, I met with Operator at the Macs Fresh Market on Arkansas Road in West Monroe. He provided me with the operator incident packet at this time. I asked Operator again about the kill lanyard and he stated that right after it happened he unclipped the kill lanyard from his person and clipped it on the handle on the back deck.
Lake Darbonne
Farmerville                   