According to Lake Orion Police Lieutenant Harold Rossman, alcohol was definitely a factor in a boat crash on July 19 on Lake Orion.
Three people were injured — a 31 year old man from Rochester, a 25 year-old man from Warren and a 21 year old Warren woman. The three were transported to an area hospital where the two men were released. The woman was in serious condition.
Rossman said the woman had stablized and was in guarded condition on Sunday.
Their boat, traveling at high speed at 10:20 p.m., hit Sqaw Island, a small island that has been eroding for many years.
According to Orion Township Fire Inspector Bob Smith, the woman was found in the water by someone in another boat and taken to shore near Grove/Lake Streets. Other citizens helped the two men get to shore.
Rossman fully expects there will be charges brought against the driver of the crashed boat.
“We have talked to witnesses and the accident is still under investigation. The result of the investigation will determine what charges will be,” he said.
“This is a type of incident we aren’t going to tolerate on our lakes or roads. Alcohol and driving is just as dangerous on the water as it is on our roads.
“All too many people will make that mistake and get behind the controls of a watercraft while under the influence of alcohol.”