Man, 84, Drowns In Oakland County Lake: Sheriff

SYLVAN LAKE, MI — An 84-year-old man drowned in Sylvan Lake Friday, according to the Oakland County Sheriff's Office.

Officials found the body of Louis William Petro, of Sylvan Lake, in five feet of water roughly 200 feet from the shore at 10 p.m. Friday night, according to the sheriff's office.

Officials said he was not wearing a life jacket.

The drowning marks the 11th person to lose their life in an Oakland County lake so far this year, according to the sheriff's office.

Sylvan Lake is located in the town of Sylvan Lake, which in the area of Telegraph and Voorheis roads.

"In an already extremely tragic summer, the loss of another person while they were enjoying the water is very sad," Sheriff Michael Bouchard said. "While we don’t know what happened in this case yet, we encourage people if they are not strong swimmers, or they are alone in the water to consider using a floatation device."

Officials said other boaters saw Petro take his 18-foot Glastron pleasure boat out onto the lake at 2:30 p.m. Friday afternoon. He is a regular boater on the lake and was alone in the boat, according to the sheriff's office.

At about 5:15 p.m., witnesses contacted police after they saw Petro’s unoccupied boat was seen drifting in the water, according to the sheriff's office.

Witnesses on the lake tied up the drifting boat to prevent it from getting in the way of other boaters, according to the sheriff's office.

Officials found Petro’s personal effects, including his cell phone, wallet and car keys in his boat, according to the sheriff's office.

Investigators did not find any signs of a struggle or foul play. There is also no evidence of any alcohol or drug use.

The Sheriff’s Office divers were assisted by strike dive teams from Chesterfield Township Public Safety, Macomb County Sheriff’s Office, Lapeer County Sheriff’s Office, Livingston County, Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, and the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office.