Commerce Township, MI (August 14, 2023) – A Novi man drowned after being hit by a Boat in an Oakland County lake on Saturday afternoon, August 12.

According to the Oakland County sheriff’s office, the 57-year-old man was killed when a 22-foot pontoon boat ran him over while he was swimming across Lower Straits Lake in Commerce Township.

The incident took place around 5:00 p.m. Authorities later located the man’s body, which had sustained multiple lacerations, in the 8700 block of Oak Beach Drive, close to the water.

The man was transferred to the hospital, and his death was confirmed just before midnight.

Alcohol was not a factor, per Commerce PD officers, and the man driving the boat cooperated with authorities. The incident remains under investigation in the interim.

Our deepest condolences are with the deceased man’s family.

Deadly Boat Crashes in Michigan

In light of our state’s location in relation to the beautiful great lakes and several other bodies of water, many Michigan residents have boats and enjoy taking in the scenery. Unfortunately, these vessels are not always safe, particularly when they are operated by people lacking the necessary experience.

In fact, according to the U.S. Coast Guard’s most recent report, the number of recreational boating accidents in the state climbed from 92 in 2013 to 125 in 2016, and deaths jumped from 21 in 2012 to 38 in 2016.

That said, wounded passengers on commercial or recreational boats in the state of Michigan who sustain injuries as a result of an accident that was caused by the carelessness of another party may be entitled to financial compensation. Accidents that take place on boats are governed by a specialized branch of law known as admiralty law or maritime law. For clarification on these statutes and the legal remedies available to you, you should seek the advice of an experienced Michigan personal injury attorney.

In the interim, victims should know that if someone is hurt in a private boating accident, the boat’s owner or operator might be liable. Injuries sustained in private watercraft accidents may raise concerns about the following:

• Has the driver been drinking or using drugs?
• Did the boat have adequate life jackets and other safety gear?
• Did the boat’s owner and operator keep it in good working order?

Our attorneys understand the intense stress and suffering that frequently follows unexpected injuries and other losses. If someone’s carelessness results in your injuries or claims the life of a family member, a Manistee personal injury attorney can fight for financial restitution. The attorneys at Christopher Trainor & Associates have handled countless personal injury cases for victims and families across the state of Michigan. If you want to schedule a consultation to discuss your legal options after a serious boating accident, call our offices at (248) 886-8650.

Note: Our firm utilized outside sources when creating this post. We have not independently verified the facts regarding this accident. If you find incorrect information, contact Christopher Trainor & Associates immediately so that we correct the post to reflect the most accurate information available about the accident. This post can be removed upon request.  

Disclaimer: The information provided in this post is not intended to be legal or medical advice. The photograph used in this post was not taken at the actual accident scene. This post is not a solicitation for business.