40-year-old Van Buren Township man drows in Belleville Lake

By Rosemary K. Otzman
Independent Editor
The body of Demont Harris, 40, of Van Buren Township was pulled from Belleville Lake at about 8:05 p.m. Saturday after a two-hour search by dive teams.
He was located in 19 feet of water about 100 feet from shore.
Van Buren Township Police Lt. Kenneth Floro said VBT received a 911 call at 5:27 p.m. from a boater on Belleville Lake who said a boat occupied by two males had capsized in the lake and one man was still missing.
Lt. Floro said police and fire units were sent to the south side of the lake, in the area of E. Huron River Drive and Martinsville Road.
Also on hand were VBT and Wayne County Marine Divisions, the VBT and Wayne County Dive Teams, and Huron Valley Ambulance.
VBT officers working in conjunction with the two police boats on the scene were able to gather additional information and establish a last scene area for the capsized boat. Dive operations by the VBT and county teams began at 5:57 p.m. and Harris was located by the VBT team at 8:05 p.m.
Lt. Floro said the preliminary investigation suggests the two men were fishing near the south shoreline and the boat capsized after taking on water.
VBT police are conducting an investigation of the incident and were awaiting information from the Wayne County Medical Examiner.
Lt. Floro said alcohol does not appear to be a factor in this case.
Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact the VBT Police Department at (734) 699-8930.