On 10/28/2023 at approximately 7:20 PM, I Agent was informed of a boating incident that resulted in property damage to a vessel on Vernon Lake. The Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office informed me that the complainant wished to report the incident. The deputy taking the call, said Subject1 called 911 who in turn referred Subject1 to the Sheriff’s Office. Subject1 stated that he had secured the vessel to a pier at a public boat launch at Bivens Landing on Vernon Lake. I proceeded to Bivens Landing expecting Subject1 to be at the scene. Upon my arrival at approximately 8:05 PM, I photographed the vessel identified as a 1994 CAJUN, a fiberglass vessel 17.8 feet in length. The vessel appeared to have been stripped of all accessories, including the trolling motor and its 12-volt marine batteries. I immediately contacted Subject1 by the telephone number given to me by the VPSO. Subject1 answered and said that he was already at home and that he had taken all the equipment including two Lowrance Elite-5 sonar devices with him.  

Subject1 told me that when his vessel struck an unknown object in a marked boat lane, he had been thrown into the remote steering console and as a result he had three broken ribs on his left ribcage and had a dislocated left shoulder.  I asked Subject1 which hospital had treated him and Subject1 said that he had not actually been to a hospital and had not received any medical attention from anyone and that he had already put his shoulder back in place. 

I had already observed the remote steering and knew that there was no noticeable damage, blood or anything abnormal about the remote steering unit. The key switch was in the off position, but I noted that the shifter had been left in the forward position. I informed Subject1 that I needed to initiate the investigation and he said I could come to his residence. 

      Upon arriving at Subject1’s residence at approximately 8:50 PM, I offered to get medical assistance for him and he refused any medical treatment. I took photographs of Subject1's injuries. I was unable to see any bruises are wounds of the affected area that Subject1 said was injured and Subject1 said he was always having to put his left shoulder back in place. 

I asked Subject1 what had happened and he was unable to explain what part of the lake he was on when the incident occurred. Subject1 stated that he had been operating the vessel on Vernon Lake during the afternoon hours on October 28, 2023. He could not tell me specifically where he was at on the lake, had trouble determining what time the incident occurred, the name of his passenger that was with him at the time of the incident, his passenger’s address or the passenger’s phone number. 

Subject1 said that he was operating his vessel in a marked boat lane-not sure which one, and was traveling approximately 30 MPH, and then stuck  a submerged object which resulted in the vessel slowing abruptly.  Subject1 indicated that the vessel began taking on water, and he told his passenger to put on a life jacket (PFD) as he feared his boat would sink. 

Subject1 said that he continued operating the vessel but it would not plane out as it was taking on water. Subject1 stated that another boater idled up beside him and offered assistance. Subject1 said that he wished to return to the Vernon Lake Spillway with the vessel where he had launched, but instead he drove the boat to Bivens Landing where he secured it to a pier beside the boat ramp. 

Subject1 said he left Vernon Lake Spillway with his vehicle and the boat trailer, went home, then came back to Bivens Landing, stripped the boat of all accessories, wading in waist deep water to remove the 12 volt marine batteries, and even removed the trolling motor from a fixed mount. After this, Subject1 left the boat tied to the pier and returned home. It was at this time that Subject1 stopped by Cricket wireless at approximately 6:30 PM and replaced his cellphone that he lost during the incident. After replacing the phone Subject1 said he contacted the VPSO. I had a difficult time retrieving this information, as Subject1 rambled and could not accurately describe what happened. I contacted Agent to assist me and after he arrived I asked Subject1 if he would write a statement about the incident. At first he agreed, but when I cautioned him about his Constitutional Rights per the Miranda Warning, he refused to write a statement and said he wanted a lawyer.  However, I had been able to look at the registration for the boat and the insurance coverage through Progressive before Subject1 became uncooperative. 

 The following day I spoke with the passenger.  He reported no injuries and stated that Subject1 was operating the vessel on Vernon Lake at approximately 12:30 PM. He said the vessel struck an object and started taking on water. Subject1 drove the vessel to Bivens Landing and stripped it of all accessories. 

 
  On October 30th BELGARDS TOWING, recovered the vessel.  Agents photographed the property damage described as 4 x 10 inch hole through the center of the hull of Subject1’s vessel. The vessel was transported to Belgards Towing where an adjuster for Progressive Insurance deemed the vessel a total loss. 

  In conclusion of the matter, I Agent believe that the primary cause for this incident is that Subject1 struck a stump in the boat road. While this might be unavoidable, Subject1 should have realized that due to excessive drought the lake elevation was at 242 feet msl. When these boat roads were cut by the Vernon Parish Police Jury the lake level would have been at the top of the pool level which is 245 msl. With the lake at approximately 3 feet lower than usual, this can result in stumps normally missed by boaters, becoming a hazard. If Subject1 would have been attentive to the low water conditions he would have idled and not operated the vessel at a speed that he did, which resulted in the property damage to the boat’s hull. His inexperience with the lake and inexperience operating the vessel contributed to the incident.

Vernon Lake
Anacoco                       