On March 31st, 2023 at 12:00P.M., Sgt. 1 notified me of a boat accident on the North end of Toledo Bend Reservoir near Jolly Roger's Marina. I contacted Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office for further details. I was advised the call had come through DeSoto Parish Dispatch and received a contact number. Upon contact with DPSO I was advised the subjects (two) were approximately one half mile north of Jolly Roger's Marina near the parish line, taking on water in their vessel, and clinging to trees. I advised DPSO dispatch to send me a contact number for the subjects in the accident, but never received it. I notified LDWF Dispatch, Lt. 2, and contacted Cpl. 3 to meet me at the marina. Two agents from Region one, DeSoto Parish Fire Department, and DPSO dive team were also en route to the marina. Prior to arrival I was notified by DPSO that they had recovered the subjects, returned them to the marina, and both were fine with no injuries.
Upon arrival I made contact with the operator of the vessel and passenger identifying myself as an LDWF Enforcement Agent, I asked if they needed medical attention. They declined medical attention and advised they had no injuries (The subjects were dry with no visible injuries). I advised both subjects of their Miranda Rights by reading them from a card carried in the field. Upon interviewing Operator he stated he was operating his vessel a 2006 Skeeter TZX200 that was 19 feet 6 inches in length back to the marina when his propeller struck a submerged stump. After striking the stump Operator's outboard Yamaha 175HP V-Max engine would not propel the vessel. The prevailing winds and waves pushed the vessel into a shallow area overpowering their trolling motor and grounding the vessel. Waves then came over the stern flooding the vessel and ultimately swamping it. Passenger was a passenger on the vessel, his statement matched that of Operator. Both subjects were given the opportunity to give voluntary written statements (See voluntary statements).
The subjects stated they were not wearing PFDs but had PFDs readily accessible on their vessel. Operator advised he was wearing his kill switch lanyard. During the interview neither subject had any signs of impairment. Operator advised he was going to recover his vessel when the lake calmed down and would contact me when he came back to the marina so I could photograph damages to his vessel.
On April 1st, 2023 at 12:27P.M. I was contacted by Operator, he was on the lake starting to recover his swamped vessel. He advised they were going to change the spun hub to see if they could get the vessel running and would contact me when they started to bring the vessel back to shore. At 1:13P.M. I was contacted again by Operator advising they had failed to get the vessel running and were towing it to the marina. I made contact with Operator at approximately 2:30P.M. near Jolly Roger’s Marina to photograph damages (See photograph log). The vessel had damage to the underside of the hull and keel from cypress knees beneath the surface causing scratches and chips in the gel coating. The storm had pushed sand and water into every compartment on the vessel exposing all of Operator’s rods and reels, tackle, and other boating items. The two battery chargers, batteries, SonarScan unit, and fuel tank were submerged approximately 24 hours.
Toledo Bend
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