WV DNR asks public for help in boat escape incident | News, Sports, Jobs

The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources Parkersburg Office is requesting information regarding an incident that occurred Saturday evening on Buckley Island (pictured), where a man piloting a boat rammed a vessel anchored near the island and then fled. (Photo provided)

WILLIAMSTOWN – The Parkersburg office of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources is seeking information regarding a hit-and-run boating accident that occurred over the weekend.

“Two boats were anchored approximately to starboard on the (Ohio) River” and a man who sailed a boat around the “The northern end of Buckley Island rammed one of the ships at anchor,” said DNR Sergeant Charles Stephens.

According to Stephens, the incident occurred on August 24 at around 9:50 p.m.

“The two drivers exchanged words” he said, and after they had done so, the man who hit the anchored boat, “fled the crime scene.”

According to Stephens, the DNR office in Parkersburg has launched an investigation and is working to reconstruct the accident.

According to Stephens, the DNR office in Parkersburg is asking the public for help in providing information about the boat operated by the man who rammed the anchored vessel.

They are looking for anyone who owns a boat with a standard white or cream fiberglass hull with damage to the starboard (right side) of the hull, he said.

According to Stephens, hit-and-run boating accidents don't happen very often, and when people leave the scene of an accident, it's usually because of a medical emergency.

Stepehns asks anyone with information about this incident to contact the WV DNR Parkersburg Office at 304-420-4550.

He said anonymous tips can also be submitted through the West Virginia DNR website at: