20-year-old drowns in Taylor Lake in Rose Township

July 21, 2024

(OCSO, July 21, 2024)

Rose Township, MI – A 20-year-old Detroit man drowned while swimming in Taylor Lake in Rose Township Saturday morning.

The man, Marsalis Quintin Carter, who lists residences in Detroit and Tuskegee, Alabama, jumped off the side of a pontoon boat into the private lake and did not resurface.

The Oakland County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team was dispatched to the scene at 11:07 a.m.

“I advise people who are not strong swimmers to have a life jacket with them when they go into the lake because there have been numerous drownings in similar situations this summer,” said Sheriff Michael Bouchard. “Even if you are a strong swimmer and have been drinking alcohol, it’s a good idea.”

The young man was part of a moving crew helping a resident move. The crew asked the owner to go on the boat with them to relax and cool off during the break. The owner of the boat took them to the lake for a swim. Carter and another man jumped into the water.

One man made it back to the boat, but Carter did not. Crews from the Southeast Michigan Dive Group assisted the Sheriff’s Office and the North Oakland County Fire Authority in the search, including divers from Genesee, Lapeer, Livingston and Wayne counties.

At least 25 divers were on site. The search lasted more than 13 hours.

The sheriff’s air and drone units were also on site to assist with the search. Due to the poor visibility in the lake, divers used various sonar devices and search techniques.

The man was found around 12:30 a.m. today about 300 feet from shore and in 35 feet of water.

An autopsy was performed this morning at the Oakland County Coroner’s Office. The preliminary cause of death is drowning. Taylor Lake is located on Hickory Ridge Road in Rose Township.

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