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 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 40-year-old 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 multiple broken ribs, a cracked vertebra, a bruised lung, a bruised liver, and multiple lacerations. She was taken McLaren Oakland Hospital in stable condition.
A friend of the woman, whose name is Beth, told WWJ that she remained in the ICU as of Tuesday, but was doing a little bit better.
A GoFundMe has been launched by Beth's father, to help with bills as she works toward healing and regaining her independence.
A post on the GoFundMe page reads: "In the middle of terrible pain and shock, Beth and her family have been holding on to gratitude that her injuries were not even worse. Still, this trauma has changed life in an instant... The funds raised will help ease the many burdens this accident has created, including medical bills, rehabilitation, lost wages during recovery, transportation, household expenses, and other unexpected costs that come with such a serious injury. Beth is working hard to recover, but the physical, emotional, and financial impact has been overwhelming for her and for those who love her." [Donate at this link]
Meanwhile, deputies from the OCSO Marine Unit and members of the Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team are still investigating.
As of Thursday, 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 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.
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Editor's note: An earlier version of this story stated that the woman hit was 60 years old, based on incorrect information from the OCSO. She is 40 years old.
There's a GoFundMe to help with the victim's recovery
There's a GoFundMe to help with the victim's recovery
