1st Sergeant Neal Wallace with the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department was on routine lake patrol at Lake Maxinkuckee Wednesday evening. He was in the northeast waters of Lake Max and was approached by a boat sounding its horn. The operator of the board requested help for an injured passenger with a laceration.
Officer Wallace directed the boat to the Culver Beach pier where Culver EMS was requested to meet with injured subject.
During the investigation of the accident it was determined that 18 year old William Walker of Illinois had been tubing and was in the water when the operator of the boat, 53 year old Andre Marcotte also of Illinois had lost sight of him as a wave splashed over the bow of the 1998, 19 foot Correct Craft Ski Nautique.
Marcotte told the officer he attempted to shut off the boat but bumped the throttle. Walker went partially under the boat and was cut by the prop. He was transported to Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center in Plymouth for treatment. The injury was serious but not believed to be life threatening.
Listeners and readers are reminded that charging information supported by an affidavit of probable cause is merely an allegation that a crime has been committed and that there is only probable cause to believe a crime has been committed. They are presumed innocent throughout the proceedings and are entitled to be represented by counsel and entitled to a trial by jury at which the State is obligated to provide proof beyond a reasonable doubt before a judgment of guilt may be made.
