Video from the scene shows a big hole in the building where the suspected drunk driver crashed into the Swan Boat Club in Monroe County, Michigan. There was a birthday party inside, and two kids, ages 5 and 8, died. (WXYZ/YouTube)
A children's birthday celebration in Michigan took a tragic turn when a suspected drunk driver crashed into a boat club, causing the death of a 5-year-old boy and his 8-year-old sister, according to authorities.
The incident occurred around 3 p.m. on Saturday at the Swan Boat Club in Berlin Charter Township, about 30 miles south of Detroit. Monroe County Sheriff Troy Goodnough stated that a 66-year-old woman crashed through an exterior wall and ended up about 25 feet inside the building. The woman, whose identity was not made public, was arrested for driving while intoxicated and causing death. Additional charges are pending. She reportedly cooperated with deputies.
Goodnough mentioned that 15 people sustained injuries, with nine being rushed to area hospitals with life-threatening injuries by ambulance or medical helicopters. Among the nine, three were children. Some victims were taken to the hospital in private vehicles. The victims were not identified by deputies.
“The first responders described the scene as extremely chaotic, with high emotions from those involved and witnesses of this terrible incident,” Goodnough said.
Deputies believe the woman had just left a nearby tavern. Goodnough stated that deputies closed down the business and were in the process of obtaining a search warrant for more information.
A video obtained by local ABC affiliate WXYZ showed a vehicle speeding through a parking lot, moments before crashing into the building. There was a large hole on the north side of the pavilion.
The boat club said in a post on Facebook that it will be closed on Sunday.
“There was a terrible accident at Swan today with many injuries, and much damage to the pavilion,” Commodore Dan Riordan wrote. “Please keep all the people and families in attendance in your prayers.”
The incident is still being investigated.