On the evening of July 1, 2023 at approximately 1936, LDWF Agents were notified of a possible boating accident that just occurred on Black River Lake, located in Catahoula Parish.  Agents traveled to the location by vessel, arriving at approximately 1944 and found the vessel involved in the accident to already be loaded onto its trailer at the address provided by dispatch.  The victim involved in the accident was onboard the vessel, laying on her back on the rear bench seat of the VIP ski boat.  Several persons were present, to include one volunteer fire fighter, two Catahoula Parish Sheriff's Deputies, and the civilian personnel at the camp.  

Victim had a towel wrapped around her head to stabilize her neck and prevent movement.  One of the civilians present at the camp was a nurse practitioner.  Statements gathered from witnesses indicated that operator (22yo w/m) was operating a 20ft VIP ski boat in Black River Lake located in Catahoula Parish with two passengers on board.  Operator was towing two passengers on two separate tubes.  

Operator initiated a left hand turn with the vessel causing one of the tubers, Victim, to make contact with the vessel's wake, and fall off of the tube into the water.  Upon impact with the water, Victim sustained an injury causing numbness to the lower extremities on the right side of her body, as well as back pain.  Victim as well as witnesses advised that Victim lost consciousness after impacting the water and had to be physically loaded into the vessel for transport to the shore.  Verbal and written statements were collected from witnesses and indicated that Operator was not operating in a careless manner while towing the tubers.  

Corporal performed standardized field sobriety tests on operator.  Operator showed no signs of impairment and displayed no indicators that would lead Agents to believe he was impaired.  Victim was transported by ambulance to an awaiting med-evac helicopter and flown to Rapides Regional Hospital in Alexandria, La for medical treatment.  

Victim was released from the hospital on the following morning with a herniated disc.  

Four type serviceable III PFDs were observed within the vessel.  On July 3, 2023, I interviewed Victim on the phone.  Victim advised she was unable to recollect anything about the accident.

Black River Lake
Jonesville                    