Survivor Faces Charges After Fatal Lake Trip

A tragic canoe trip on Lake Hayward has led to criminal charges against one of the participants. Michael Collins, 20, from Mineola, New York, was arrested on July 10 and charged with operating a boat under the influence. The charge stems from an incident on the night of March 21, when Collins and his friend Dominick Tocci, also 20, reportedly went canoeing on Lake Hayward after consuming alcohol with a group of friends.

Following the capsizing of their canoe, both men were thrown into the water. A nearby resident heard calls for help, and good Samaritans were able to rescue Collins. Tocci, however, went missing, prompting an extensive search by various emergency response teams. His body was eventually recovered from Lake Hayward on the afternoon of March 23, two days after the incident.

Months later, an arrest warrant was sought, leading to Collins' surrender to environmental police. He is scheduled to appear in court on July 23. Authorities have not announced any further charges related to Tocci's death. The case underscores the dangers of boating under the influence, a leading factor in recreational boating fatalities, especially as enforcement campaigns like Operation Dry Water are active.

Friends and family remembered Dominick Tocci as a talented athlete with a vibrant personality. Donations in his honor were directed to youth baseball programs in his hometown of Woodstock. Connecticut law also reminds boaters that a boating under the influence conviction can result in driver's license suspension.