At approximately 10:00pm on november 4, 2023, after eating dinner at ribeyes in washington with their son, subject1, and girlfriend, subject2, operator and subject3 left the washington waterfront on their 34' fountain vessel to return home.  Homeowner footage from the washington waterfront shows the vessel idling through the no wake zone at 10:01 pm with multiple bright lights on. 

Gps data reviewed from the vessel shows the track line on the return is further north than all of the other visible lines.  The average speed on the return home was 28 mph.  At 10:17 pm an obvious slight left turn is noticeable on the gps as well as an increase in speed (55 mph) along side this part of the pamlico river is the goose creek state park, which is shoreline that is unlit for approximately 4 miles making it more difficult to see.  This is where the incident occurred at 10:18 pm near dinah's landing boat ramp.  Gps data shows the last speed reading of 50 mph at 10:18 pm. 

Around 2:30 am on november 5, 2023, a call to beaufort county 911 was made by subject1 and subject2 stating they had not seen/heard from operator or subject3 since 9:30 pm.  At approximately 3:37 am on november 5th, members of the washington fd noticed a bright blue light coming from the river near dinah's landing.  After further investigation, it was found to be the crash site.  The fd secured the scene and waited for the ncwrc to arrive. 

Sgt., sgt. and ofc. with the ncwrc were notified at approximately 3:40 am.  At 5:00 am members of the ncwrc along with det. from the bcso launched a patrol boat and relieved washington fd.  Ofc. was dropped off on the river side and began investigating the initial point of impact and the debris field while the others drove to the canal side to park the patrol boat.  

The body of operator was located near the debris field which contained the t-top and much of the center console near the initial point of impact which appeared to be 2 pine trees with significant damage and fiberglass marks approximately 15 feet up.  

The initial point of impact was approximately 165 feet from where the vessel was found.  This supports the evidence that the vessel impacted the stump field/shoreline and went airborne striking the 2 trees on both the port/starboard sides of the vessel.  Subject3 was found laying in the port side gunwale laying face down.  

After investigation, it was determined that the vessel struck the shoreline at approximately 50 mph causing the vessel to go airborne for approximately 30-40 feet and strike multiple trees causing severe damage to the vessel and ejecting operator.  After landing, the vessel came to rest on the canal side of the marsh. 

The scene was properly documented by det. and the bodies were recovered by the ncwrc and members of the bcso.  

The medical examiner determined the cause of death for both operator and subject3 was blunt force trauma.  Operator had a laceration to his neck and jaw, and subject3 had severe blunt force trauma to the right side of her face and 2 lacerations on her abdomen and right forearm.   It has been determined that excessive speed, low visibility and operator inattention were all causes of the incident. 

The investigation is still ongoing as we wait for toxicology.

When further information is received from toxicology, the report will be updated at that time.

PAMLICO RIVER
WASHINGTON                    