On Sunday May 21, 2023, I (Agt. 1) along with Lt. 2 and Sgt. 3 were on patrol in St. Tammany Parish when we were contacted by St. Tammany Parish Sheriffs Office about a potential boat accident on the Tchefuncte River. Agents made their way to the location of a boat launch on the Tchefuncte River. At this time it was found vessel operated by Operator was towing an inflatable tube occupied by a 17 year old and a 14 year old. The 14 year old identified as Injured was thrown from the tube into a tree along the bank. Injured suffered back injuries and was transported to St. Tammany Parish Hospital by Acadian Ambulance. The operator was cited for 34:851.4 Careless Operation. Alcohol use is not a factor, Sgt. 3 performed SFST HGN on Operator and no clues were observed. All PFD requirements were met. The boat was equipped with remote hydraulic steering. In this investigators opinion the contributing factors of the incident include excessive speed for the conditions resulting in the tubes collision with a fixed object.
Tchefuncte River
Covington                     