New Lenox Man Drowns in Lake Wisconsin

A New Lenox man vacationing with his family drowned Friday in Lake Wisconsin in the Town of Lodi in southern Wisconsin. He was identified Sunday as Steven Michener, 49.

Michener went under the water and did not resurface. Rescue units responded to a 911 call at 1:41 p.m. His body was recovered later Friday at about 5 p.m., according to the Columbia County sheriff’s office.

Columbia County Sheriff Dennis Richards told NBC’s WMTV that Michener was in a boat alone without a life jacket. It’s now known how he got into the water.

“It’s just a little bit discouraging the fact of the life jackets, they’re sitting right here at the landing,” Richards said. “Not sure where he initially started from when he got off the boat whether it was on purpose or by accident. We’re not sure how far he traveled, so its very possible he became exhausted and couldn’t do it anymore.”

ABC’s WKOW reports that boaters nearby tried to throw Michener a life preserver but were unsuccessful.