On September 15, 2023, at approximately 10:49 PM, I Officer responded to a two vessel accident involving a hit-and-run in the Severn River, outside of Brewer Creek. Officer arrived at the scene before me and started getting information on what had happened during the incident. While responding to the residence, one of the passengers was reporting possible injury to her neck and back. EMS was requested which arrived about 2 minutes before I arrived. 

While EMS was checking out the injured passenger I began to collect information on the incident. While I was getting witness statements OFC. along with the vessel owner went down to take photos of the vessel. I was able to collect witness statements. 

While Subject1 was providing his statement he informed me that the striking vessel had NAP TIME in large letters on the side of the vessel and a blue hull around 30 feet in length. He stated that he saw the vessel before. He informed me that he was able to contact someone from the community who knew of the vessel and tried to get the owner's information. He informed me that after the vessel struck their vessel it stopped and asked if everyone was ok. He told the striking vessel that there was a passenger that might be injured and asked if they could follow them into their dock. At that time the striking vessel left the area and headed outbound downstream on the Severn River toward the Chesapeake Bay.

    Subject1 said he believed the vessel might be kept at a dock in Eastport, Annapolis. I informed our Communications Center and asked if they could contact Annapolis City Police and have them look at the Marinas in an attempt to locate the vessel. Subject1 informed me that they saw the vessel earlier in the evening docked at Pusser's Dock Bar and thought the operator might have been drinking. While the 3 witnesses were filling out their statements EMS finished checking out the injured passenger, who refused further treatment. EMS run number 2023-67433. While I was waiting for the statements to be completed I began getting information for all 6 passengers on board the struck vessel.

    When OFC. was finished taking photos of the vessel. I asked if he could have the remaining 3 passengers fill out statements while I attempted to locate the vessel in Eastport Annapolis. I collected the 3 statements I had and responded to Eastport to attempt to locate the striking vessel. Subject1 could not get a possible slip number for the striking vessel but was able to inform me that it was kept at the Annapolis Yacht Club Annex, which is located in Eastport, Annapolis. When I arrived at Eastport I attempted to locate the vessel starting with the docks below the Spa Creek Bridge. I was unable to locate the vessel due to each dock having a locked gate preventing access. I was able to speak with a male subject on a yacht tied up above the Spa Creek Bridge, he informed me that he did not see a vessel matching the one I was looking for. When I was unable to locate the vessel I cleared the area and informed DNR I would follow up in the morning.

    On September 16, 2023, at approximately 12:00 PM, I attempted to make contact with the possible owner of the striking vessel by cell phone. There was no answer by phone, and I was able to leave a voicemail identifying myself, I stated I was trying to reach Operator1 about a possible vessel accident he was involved in on September 15, 2023, around 10:45 PM. On September 16, 2023, at approximately 5:51 PM, I received a call from Operator1's attorney. Operator1’s attorney stated he was forwarded a voice message I had left him earlier in the day. Operator1’s attorney stated his client's vessel was removed from the water and in a secure lot. He stated he wanted to arrange a meeting with his client and I so he could resolve this situation. Operator1’s attorney informed me that his client may have a video recording showing that the victim's vessel did not have a stern light. He stated the video shows that while Operator1 was following them into the dock after the accident the navigation light can be seen turning on and off. Operator1’s attorney also informed me that he would be completing a U. S. Coast Guard Recreational Boating Accident Report. 
    OFC. will complete a supplement with further information for the other 3 passengers during his next shift. A vessel accident report will be completed once I have the other witness statements and can locate the striking vessel. All events occurred in Anne Arundel County, Maryland.   

     After arriving at the residence, I met with some occupants of the vessel inside the residence where they were changing out of their wet clothes. After Ofc. arrived at the residence, I went down to the dock where I met with the owner and operator of the vessel2. While talking with OPERATOR2, he stated that he and five occupants boarded his boat, described as a 17’ 7” White 2012 Sea Hunt displaying current Maryland registration at approximately 6:00 PM and went to view a concert at City Dock, Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, Maryland. 

After leaving the concert, on their way back to the residence at approximately 10:30 PM they were drifting in the area of the mouth of Brewer Creek on the Severn River watching the stars. While drifting OPERATOR2 stated he had all the proper navigational lights on and working, the motor in the water but turned off, and they were not anchored. 

OPERATOR2 then observed a vessel turning into Brewer Creek from the mouth of the Severn River at approximately 30 miles per hour. As the vessel approached OPERATOR2 did not observe the vessel slow down, alter course, or take any action to avoid the accident. 

As the accident occurred OPERATOR2, sitting in the operator seat, advised that the individual sitting in the starboard side stern seat dove onto the bottom of the boat to avoid being struck by the vessel. After the accident occurred, OPERATOR2 observed multiple people in his boat had been thrown onto the bottom of the vessel, not in their initial seating area, and that the vessel had taken on a lot of water due to the wake of the striking vessel. 

OPERATOR2 then advised that as they were collecting themselves, the striking boat came back to the area to ask if everyone was alright, at which time OPERATOR2 stated that they were but asked for them to follow them back to their dock, just up the creek. OPERATOR2 then started his motor and started up the creek at which point he observed the vessel following them but approximately 5-10 minutes later the striking boat had left the area before they made it back to the dock. 

The significant damage to the Sea Hunt is described as:
     - Major cracking and damage to the 90 Horsepower Yamaha Motor
     - OPERATOR2 stated that the motor also had internal damages from the noises it was making on its way back to the dock
     - Fiberglass damage on the starboard side stern
     - Starboard side stern seat torn with padding missing from the area
     - bending and breaking of the 360* white light that was in the slot on the starboard side stern location
Damage estimated by OPERATOR2 was to be greater than $2,000.
All events occurred in Anne Arundel County, Maryland.
Severn River-Brewer Creek
Annapolis                     