We really don't know how far the paddle wheel went before stopping because it goes out of frame. We can however see the powerboat stop, apparently assess the situation and then turn off his lights and leave. Unless he was taking on water or someone was injured, he should have made a distress call, and docked in the immediate area.
The unfortunate part is, this was supposed to be as the title notes, "Stand Up Guy". Now he has lost what he has worked hard to accomplish, his reputation is shot, he didn't accumulate the wealth to afford his toys without it. This could stand to ruin his life.

Any 911 calls?
Any calls on the marine radio?

I'd bet the paddleboat made calls on both, NT owner was probably on a call with his lawyer.

What's easier to maneuver a paddleboat in chaos or a 45 center console? If this was a non-alcohol related crash the center console would make radio contact with the paddleboat, turn around and drift with it until the cops arrived. Paddleboat needed to worry about its 60 passengers and figure out if they have any issues (taking on water, fire, propulsion/steering). If that thing started taking on water and listed then rolled there would have been multiple fatalities.

Having all those interior LED's lit up definitely didn't do his night vision any favors. I can easily see how the paddleboat would have blended into the background which is why you gotta be ultra attentive at night. In the end, at least no one died and no serious injuries.

"Becky Meissner and her husband were on the boat Saturday night celebrating a friend’s birthday. She tells us the “On the Loos Cruise” paddlewheel boat was approaching The Ground Round at the end of its evening trip to dock when it was hit."

Sorta explains where it was when hit.

Hell the impact was severe enough, it could have knocked the tour boat captain on his ass!

It traveled maybe 50 yds before going out of frame?

Get a grip.
He is not at fault here.

As to not seeing it in the lights of mainland behind him???
Youre right.

The CC was going too fast for conditions!

lots of speculation and no details and the same loudmouths on here reaching a decision/opinion. looks to me like both captains made a decision to take care of the passengers and get to safe harbor. if the capt of the nortech was drinking, thats his burden to bear. i dont see criminal intent especially being as the paddle boat carried on, my question would be that it paddle boats propulsion is from the rear, and he hit the paddle, could the paddle boat have had limited view being as they were in reverse? too many questions to assess full blame, the answere may be it was just a simple accident, yet the desire to appoint blame and add a cost to it it too overwhelming... sue used to be a girls name, now its a verb...

t the boat owner ran and hid. That's not speculation.

Next someone will suggest the paddle boat backed into him and he was in fear for his life, shutting the lights off and leaving the area makes sense.

Drillin, every paddle wheeler/tour boat I’ve seen in the last 30 yrs gets its power from a prop in front of the paddle wheel.

Its current turns the wheel and many have a chain driving the wheel also, for appearance only.

Most are a converted barge w/an IO in it.