White Lake Boater Killed After High-Speed Crash on Oxbow Lake [WHITE LAKE TOWNSHIP, MI]

A 71-year-old White Lake man was killed Tuesday afternoon, August 25, 2026, after the boat he was operating crashed on Oxbow Lake in White Lake Township, Oakland County. A passenger was thrown into the water during the crash and rescued by nearby boaters. The story was reported by CBS Detroit on August 26, 2026, citing the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office and White Lake Township Police Department.

According to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, a 911 call reporting the crash was made at approximately 2:20 p.m. The boat was traveling at an excessively high rate of speed when the vessel became airborne, struck the water on its side, and sank in approximately 50 feet of water. The operator, identified as Kirk Magnuson, 71, of White Lake, went underwater and was initially reported missing. A 56-year-old Taylor man who was a passenger in the boat was thrown into the water and rescued by nearby boaters on a pontoon boat. He was transported to McLaren Oakland Hospital and was reported in stable condition Wednesday morning.

The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue team, Marine Division, Southeast Michigan Dive Group, and Shelby Township Fire Department participated in the search for Magnuson. Rescue boats equipped with sonar were used throughout the evening. Magnuson’s body was recovered Wednesday morning in approximately 50 feet of water. The Oakland County Medical Examiner’s Office performed an autopsy and ruled his death an accidental drowning. Investigators also determined that neither man was wearing a personal flotation device. The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office is continuing to investigate the crash.

What Those Involved May Want to Know

When a boating crash results in a death and an injured passenger, the legal and insurance questions differ from those that arise after a motor vehicle collision. Michigan’s no-fault automobile insurance system does not apply to watercraft, so available coverage and potential claims depend on the circumstances of the boating incident and any applicable insurance policies.

The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office reported that the boat was traveling at an excessively high rate of speed before becoming airborne, striking the water on its side, and sinking. Investigators also determined that neither person aboard was wearing a personal flotation device. The investigation remains ongoing.

For the passenger who was thrown into the water and rescued, any potential boating injury claim will depend on the circumstances surrounding the boat’s operation, the injuries he sustained, and the available insurance coverage. An attorney can review the investigation and determine what legal options may be available.

For Kirk Magnuson’s family, legal questions may arise depending on whether the investigation identifies any additional factor or another party’s conduct as contributing to the crash. Michigan’s wrongful death statute, MCL 600.2922, applies when a death results from another person’s wrongful act, neglect, or fault. Whether that statute is relevant here will depend on facts that have not yet been established.

If your family was affected by a boating incident on Oxbow Lake or another waterway in Oakland County or the Metro Detroit area, our team may be able to help. To speak with a Michigan personal injury attorney, contact us today.

Source: CBSNews