Boat strikes, kills Temperance woman

7/30/2011

HILLSDALE, Mich. — A Temperance woman was killed Saturday afternoon when she was struck by a boat while swimming in Bear Lake, Hillsdale County sheriff’s deputies said.

Cynthia Marie Hiszak, 49, and James Joseph Hiszak, 47, had their boat anchored in the lake, and Ms. Hiszak was swimming about 2:40 p.m. when she was struck by a vessel operated by James Russell Jonassen, 48, of Hillsdale. The Jonassen vessel then struck the Hiszak vessel, deputies said.

Ms. Hiszak was pronounced dead at the scene.

From the lake in Cambria Township, Mr. Jonassen was taken to Hillsdale Community Health Center for treatment of minor injuries.

Deputies are continuing to investigate the collision and the death.

Hillsdale is about 65 miles northwest of Toledo.