Boat strikes pier, man faces charges

A 34-year-old man from Caledonia is facing charges after a woman was seriously injured in a boat collision with a pier in Belle River on Saturday. Witnesses are still being sought for the incident, which occurred in the waters of Lake St. Clair at the Belle River Marina around 4:20 p.m. Lakeshore OPP said the man and the woman were occupants of an 18-foot fishing boat. The woman — a 31-yearold Cambridge resident — was ejected from the vessel when it struck the breakwall at the pier. Stephen Elzinga has been charged with dangerous operation of a vessel causing bodily harm and operating a vessel with more than 80 milligrams of blood alcohol causing bodily harm. Elzinga has been scheduled for a court appearance in Windsor on Nov. 28. Anyone who saw what happened is encouraged to contact Essex County OPP’s major crime unit at 519-723-2491. Anonymous tips can be made to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.