On July 6, 2023, I was notified by Sgt. at approximately 0630 hours that a Sullivan County Sheriff''s Office Investigator contacted him directly about a single vessel accident that occurred on Boone Lake sometime during the night of July 5, 2023, between 2200 and 2300 hours. At the time, Sgt. advised that the operator of the vessel was missing. The Sullivan County Sheriff''s Office took the report of the missing persons from family at approximately 0200-0300 hours on July 6, 2023. I responded from my location to Rockingham Marina utilizing my emergency equipment, exercising due regard for public safety. I boarded my patrol vessel and proceeded upstream to locate the vessel in the area of Pickens bridge and  boat dock. I located the partially submerged vessel just downstream of boat dock at the point 20 marker. 

Upon my arrival, Kingsport lifesaving crew was already on scene of the accident. According to the missing person report filed with Sullivan County Sheriff''s Office, Victim was at a social gathering on her family’s dock. At approximately 2200 hours, Victim boarded her 1999 20'' Sting Ray and went for a cruise downstream and never returned. Family started to worry after several hours of no communication with Victim, leading to Victim''s husband activating a 911 response. 

The preliminary investigation revealed Victim traveled downstream for an unknown distance before returning upstream. At some point during the return, Victim struck a rock cliff on the starboard side of the vessel at a high rate of speed resulting in the vessel capsizing throwing Victim under the driver’s console, resulting in her death. 

Captain was able to locate the deceased body of Victim using a remote operated vehicle. At this time, Washington County/Johnson City EMS activated their dive team, that led to the recovery of the body. Washington County Dive team and TWRA personnel worked in a joint effort to recover the partially submerged vessel. The Investigation is ongoing at this time, pending completion of autopsy.
BOONE LAKE
JOHNSON CITY                  