OVID TOWNSHIP, MI (WTVB) – The Branch County Sheriff’s Department has released the name of the man who died from his injuries at a Kalamazoo hospital following a collision involving what were described as two speed boats on Coldwater Lake near Pearl Beach and the south Pearl Road area late Saturday night.
The Sheriff’s Office identified the fatal victim as 46-year-old Cory C. Butler of Grabill, Indiana.
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 a 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 they did not needed taken to the hospital.
Butler was taken from the scene by Lifecare ambulance to an awaiting helicopter, and flown to a Kalamazoo hospital where he later died from his injuries.
The unidentified 15-year-old driver of the first boat is listed as a 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.
This 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 who will then decide if criminal charges will be pursued.
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