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Victim’s Name Released In Branch County Boat Crash
By: Mike Stiles - Tuesday, August 6, 2024

(photo courtesy of Branch County Sheriff's Office)

(OVID TOWNSHIP) – Authorities have released the name of the man killed in a collision between two boats over the weekend.

The Branch County Sheriff’s Office says the victim has been identified as 46 year old Cory Butler of Grabill, Indiana.

Branch County Undersheriff Keith Eichler says their department was contacted at 11:15 PM Saturday about a collision between two speed boats on Coldwater Lake near Pearl Beach and South Pearl Road.

The Branch County Marine Patrol arrived and determined the incident involved a boat driven by a 15 year old from Fort Wayne, that ended up on top of a second boat, driven by Butler. Authorities say the first boat had seven other passengers and the Butler boat had three other passengers. Minor injuries were reported by the other passengers on both boats.

Butler was flown to a Kalamazoo hospital where he later died from his injuries.

Investigators say the 15 year old is listed as the suspect in the crash which remains under investigation.

Once the investigation is finished, it will be forwarded to the Branch County Prosecutor’s Office where a decision will be made on if they will be bringing criminal charges or not.



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