West Bloomfield Township, MI – A 19-year-old man died after experiencing difficulty while swimming in Pine Lake Sunday evening, despite an immediate rescue effort by bystanders and emergency crews.
According to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called at approximately 6:24 p.m. Sunday after receiving a report that a swimmer had gone underwater near the 3800 block of Norman Wood Drive and had not resurfaced.
Authorities identified the swimmer as Jauwan Walter Hayes Jr., 19, of West Bloomfield Township. Hayes had been at the beach with family members and was swimming in a designated area between two floating platforms when witnesses saw him begin struggling at the surface, investigators said.
Hayes then went underwater and did not resurface.
Bystanders immediately entered Pine Lake to search for him and were able to locate Hayes and bring him to shore. West Bloomfield Fire Department paramedics began lifesaving measures and transported him to Henry Ford Hospital West Bloomfield.
Resuscitation efforts continued at the hospital, but Hayes was pronounced dead at approximately 9:38 p.m., according to the sheriff’s office.
The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Team was activated following the initial report, along with multiple regional dive teams. However, bystanders recovered Hayes before dive personnel were needed.
Investigators said Hayes was not wearing a personal flotation device. Alcohol does not appear to have been a factor.
The Oakland County Medical Examiner’s Office performed an autopsy and ruled the death an accidental drowning. The sheriff’s office said the incident remains under investigation.
