WHITE LAKE TOWNSHIP (WWJ) -- A boat crash in Oakland County killed a White Lake man, according to authorities.
The Oakland County Sheriff's Office says the boat flipped over and capsized on Oxbow Lake in White Lake Township, in the area of M-59 and Teggerdine, on Tuesday, August 25.
Deputies got a call about a "boat that crashed and sunk" at approximately 2:30 p.m. When they arrived on the scene, witnesses told them a boat traveling at an "excessively high rate of speed became airborne," striking the water on its side.
The boat sunk in approximately 50 feet of water on Oxbow Lake after ejecting both occupants, according to authorities.
Nearby boaters on a pontoon rescued the passenger, while the driver slipped below the water's surface.
Divers recovered the driver approximately seven hours after the initial call and pronounced him deceased on shore, authorities said.
The Oakland County Sheriff's Office identified him as 71-year-old Kirk Magnuson of White Lake.
Authorities said the passenger, a 56-year-old Taylor man, is hospitalized at McLaren Oakland in stable condition.
Sheriff Mike Bouchard called it an "incredibly sad and preventable tragedy."
Investigators said neither man was wearing a personal floatation device at the time of the crash. Alcohol is not believed to be a factor. The Oakland County Medical Examiner performed an autopsy and deemed Magnuson's cause of death as an "accidental drowning."
"One person tragically lost his life, and we are extremely fortunate a nearby boater saw what happened, immediately responded, and was able to save the other individual. We are grateful for that citizen’s quick and selfless actions," he said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and loved ones of the person who lost his life. Please, slow down, wear a life jacket, and never take safety on the water for granted."
