OVID TOWNSHIP, MI (WTVB) – A Grabil, Indiana man died from his injuries at a Kalamazoo hospital following a collision involving two speed boats on Coldwater Lake near Pearl Beach and the south Pearl Road area late Saturday night.
The Branch County Sheriff’s Office has identified the fatal victim as 46-year-old Cory C. Butler.
They say the crash happened at about 11:15 p.m.. Undersheriff Keith Eichler said in a news release that after the collision a boat driven by a 15-year-old from Fort Wayne, Indiana wound up on top of the second boat being driven by Butler.
The first boat had seven other passengers while the second boat had three other passengers. Some had minor injuries but except for Butler, no one else needed to be taken to the hospital.
Butler was taken from the scene by Life Care ambulance to an awaiting helicopter, and flown to a Kalamazoo hospital where he later died from his injuries.
The 15-year-old driver of the first boat is listed as suspect in the crash by the Sheriff’s Department.
Deputies were assisted by the Michigan State Police from the Marshall Post, the Lakeland and Fremont Fire Departments, 911 Towing and the Branch County Sheriff’s Victim Service Unit.
The accident remains under investigation by the Branch County Sheriff’s Office Marine Patrol. A final report will be turned over to the Branch County Prosecutor’s Office. They will determine if criminal charges are to be pursued.
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