A 26-year-old woman was killed and four of her friends were injured in a boat collision on Lake Michigan, authorities confirmed Friday, June 27.
Details on what caused the crash — and which vessels were involved — hadn’t been released as of Friday evening. The names of the victim and the injured weren’t immediately available.
Four survivors were hurt in the collision, though the extent of their injuries wasn’t disclosed. Whether any were hospitalized or treated and released is unknown.
The investigation
No arrests or citations had been announced as of Friday. It’s unclear how many boats were involved or whether alcohol or speed played a role. Investigators hadn’t confirmed which agency was leading the inquiry — the U.S. Coast Guard, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, or local law enforcement all have jurisdiction over Lake Michigan waterways.
Lake Michigan, the only one of the five Great Lakes lying entirely within U.S. borders, draws heavy recreational boat traffic through the summer months. Collisions are among the leading causes of fatal boating accidents in Michigan each year, according to state DNR data — though where exactly on the lake Friday’s crash occurred hasn’t been pinpointed.
No additional information had been released by Friday night.
