Man Drowns In Oakland County Lake: Sheriff

WATERFORD TOWNSHIP, MI — A 61-year-old Waterford Township man drowned in an Oakland County lake Monday night, according to the Oakland County Sheriff's Office.

Joselito Estonilo Garcia's body was found at 9:42 p.m. under a dock in Maceday Lake in the 3700 block of Austinwood in Waterford Township, according to the sheriff's office.

Officials performed life-saving measures before he was taken to a nearby hospital where he died, according to the sheriff's office.

His autopsy was scheduled for Tuesday, but authorities say the cause of death was likely drowning.

Investigators do not know where or how Garcia ended up in the water. They do believe alcohol played a role in the drowning.

A bystander called 911 after hearing someone yelling for help and the sound of someone thrashing about in the water Monday night, according to the sheriff's office.

The caller told officers the yelling stopped after a short time, according to the sheriff's office.

Later that night, officials found Garcia's body in the water, according to the sheriff's office.

Officials were told there may have been another person in the water, but they didn't find anyone else after searching the lake, according to the sheriff's office.

Garcia's death is the 13th drowning in an Oakland County lake this year, according to the sheriff's office.

"This has been an extremely tragic year for drownings in Oakland County," Sheriff Michael Bouchard said. "Sadly, many threads are common with drownings and often include alcohol consumption. That is under investigation in this case as well. We urge people to be safe in and around water."

Oakland County divers were assisted by the Southeast Michigan Dive Group, the Livingston County Dive Team and the Huron Clinton Metro Parks Search & Rescue Team.