
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, July 19, 1994                   TAG: 9407190052
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: TODD JACKSON STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

BOATING ACCIDENT IMPAIRS PATROL EFFORT

Two game wardens escaped serious injury in a boating accident Saturday on Smith Mountain Lake, but Lt. Karl Martin says the Game and Inland Fisheries Department's ability to patrol the lake could be mortally wounded.

Game wardens D.L. Hatcher and M.L. Plasters were on their patrol boats about midnight Saturday discussing the investigation of a minor boating accident that had occurred minutes earlier.

Hatcher and Plasters then became accident victims when a third boat sped out of the night and slammed into Hatcher's craft, knocking it into Plasters'. Martin said both patrol boats were well-lighted.

The accident demolished Hatcher's boat and did extensive damage to Plasters', leaving the department with just two boats at the peak of the boating season.

It was a major blow to an already damaged operation, Martin said. State budget cuts have put gaping holes in the department's law enforcement staff; last year, the number of boats was reduced from eight to four.

"We were already having problems manning the lake. Now we've got two of four boats out of service," he said. "Needless to say, it's been a busy day."

Martin said he plans to ask for an emergency appropriation from the department.

"We'll carry on as best we can for now," he said. "I'm definitely going to have to change some shift schedules."

Hatcher, with injuries to his ribs and lower back, and Plasters, with an injury to his left shoulder, were being re-evaluated Monday and will be out of work for several days, Martin said.

Sabrina Newell, 28, of Moneta and Melvin Newby, 28, of Wirtz face charges stemming from the accident, according to Sgt. Ron Henry of the Game and Inland Fisheries Department.

Newell was charged with reckless operation and unauthorized use of a motorboat, he said.

Newby was charged with assaulting Plasters after the wreck and was also charged with being drunk in public, using threatening language and unauthorized use of a motor boat, Henry said.

Newell and Newby were not injured in the accident.

The boat Newell and Newby were in is owned by Rodney Coleman of Wirtz, Henry said.

by CNB