A Round Lake Beach man is dead after officials say a boat crashed into a break wall at a marina on Lake Michigan in northwest Indiana late Saturday evening.
The incident occurred around 11:34 p.m. Saturday in the area of Hammond Marina, 701 Casino Center Drive in Hammond, Indiana.
First responders were notified of a boat on Lake Michigan that struck the marina’s break wall, according to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
The Hammond Police Department, Hammond Fire Department and Indiana Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement responded to the scene.
Six people were on board at the time of the collision, the DNR said.
One of the passengers was apparently ejected and located on the break wall.
He was identified as Herman Woods, 66, of Round Lake Beach. Woods was unresponsive at the scene, the DNR said.
Emergency crews initiated CPR and lifesaving measures and transported Woods to a local hospital.
The DNR said Woods was later pronounced dead at the hospital. The Lake County, Indiana, Coroner’s Office was notified and responded.
Indiana Conservation Officer Alex Neel said it appears that the boat operator was unfamiliar with the area.
“The submerged break wall is marked with lighted buoys and on all major marine electronics,” he said.
The investigation remains active and there are no criminal charges pending at this time, Neel said.
The crash occurred shortly after Hammond Marina’s 35th anniversary Venetian Night, which began early in the day and ended at night with a concert and fireworks.
No other injuries were reported and the cause of the crash remains under investigation.