Grandmother, grandson killed in boating crash

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (WISH) - Driver inattention is being blamed for the boating crash that killed 51-year old Susan Collier and her 8-year-old grandson Gage Pruett.

"Alcohol was not a factor in the crash," said Indiana Conservation Officer Angela Goldman.

Officers say the accident happened when a small bass fishing boat was hit by a 23-foot-long Cobalt speed boat on Lake Monroe. The crash happened in the far south end of the reservoir between the dam and FourWinds Marina near Harbour Marina at around 8 p.m.

That boat was being driven by 19-year-old Winston Wood and 19-year-old Michael Marietta was a passenger. Matthew Holmberg, also 19, was being towed on a wakeboard.

Susan Collier and her husband had decided to take their three grandsons for an evening boat ride. The three brothers are triplets. According to the DNR, Susan and her husband were thrown from their boat after it was struck.

Susan's husband, James was taken to Bloomington Hospital with injuries to his leg. He has been treated and released. Officers say the other two grandchildren on the boat are doing OK.

So far, no charges have been filed against either driver.

Outside the Collier home, friends and family gathered to comfort one another.

Jolene Eckerd lost her sister in the accident. She described Susan Collier as the family organizer - the glue who kept everyone together.

"She was just a wonderful person. She loved her family she had so many friends. She was always so giving it wasn't just about her and her family it was about everybody. She loved everybody. I can't believe it. Can't believe it happened. I love my sister, my family. We're just devastated" said Eckerd.