WHITE LAKE TWP. (WWJ) — A woman who was hit by a boat while swimming over the weekend remains hospitalized in an intensive care unit, while investigators search for the person responsible.
The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in identifying the operator of a boat involved the crash, Saturday afternoon on Pontiac Lake, that left a 60-year-old Fenton woman seriously injured.
Officials said the crash happened at around 1:30 p.m. on Aug. 8, on the east side of Pontiac Lake, near Walt’s Point Marina in White Lake Township.
According to a witness, the woman was swimming in the lake — about 10 or 15 feet from a boat with her friends on board — when another boat came speeding toward her.
The driver of that boat did not appear to be paying attention as the woman’s friends shouted at him and waved their arms to signal that there was a swimmer in the water.
The woman tried to swim away, but was hit by the passing boat, suffering a back injury and numerous lacerations.
She was taken McLaren Oakland Hospital in stable condition.
A friend of the woman told WWJ that she remained in the ICU as of Tuesday, but was doing a little bit better.
Meanwhile, deputies from the OCSO Marine Unit and members of the Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team are still investigating,
As of Tuesday, they were still working to identify the operator and locate the boat, which witnesses described as a white speed boat/jet boat with dark accent striping.
The operator was described as a white male between, around 50 to 60 years old.
Residents and businesses near Pontiac Lake are asked to review security footage from Saturday afternoon for any images of a boat matching the description.
Anyone who witnessed the crash, who may be able to ID the boat or the driver, or who has photos, video or other information that could help with the investigation is asked to call the sheriff’s office at 248-858-4950.