Car crashes into boat club holding children’s birthday party; two children killed at scene, 15 others injured

MONROE COUNTY, Mich. — Two children were killed and multiple people were seriously injured after a “tragic incident” at a boat club in Monroe County on Saturday afternoon.

The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office says a vehicle ran into the Swan Boat Club in Newport, where a children’s birthday party was taking place around 3 p.m. 

A 66-year-old woman was arrested for driving intoxicated and causing death, according to the sheriff’s office. 

The sheriff says two children were killed at the scene. An 8-year-old girl and a 5-year-old boy, who were siblings.  

15 victims received first aid, including adults and young children, 9 of those were transported with serious, life-threatening injuries to area hospitals.

The identities of the victims have not been released.

“The scene was described by first responders as extremely chaotic with high level of emotions of those directly involved and those who witnessed this horrific incident,” said Monroe County Sheriff Troy Goodnough.

According to the sheriff, the vehicle struck a wall before coming to a stop 25-feet-inside the building. 

A neighbor’s doorbell camera captured the SUV as it sped down the road and past the parking lot toward the building as well as people running from and then toward the building. 

The sheriff’s office says the driver of the SUV will face additional charges. Her identity has yet to be released.

Police say they have evidence that the suspect was at Verna’s Tavern, which is less than four miles from the boat club, before the crash. 

Police closed down that business while they executed a search warrant. 

Swan Boat Club is near Estral Beach between Monroe and Detroit.

First responders from multiple agencies remained on the scene hours after initial reports of the incident, including multiple ambulances.

At 4:07 p.m. the club posted on social media asking people to stay away from the club so emergency crews could get through: “Please keep everyone involved in your thoughts and prayers.  We thank everyone for their concern and prayers.”

Police investigators continued to process evidence at the scene into the evening as they worked to identify victims and reunite family members.

The SUV was towed from the building around 9:30 p.m. Saturday.

This is a developing story. Please stay with WTOL 11 for the latest information as it becomes available.

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