One man dead, another missing after boat capsizes
Last Modified: Monday, July 23, 2012 11:21 AM
A Lake Charles man has died and a Westlake man is missing after a boat they were on capsized on Lake Charles.
The body of 22-year-old William R. Druilhet was recovered early Saturday morning near the west bank of Lake Charles, near where the 16-foot jon boat was also discovered.
Druilhet was wearing a personal flotation device, and his body was turned over to the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office to determine a cause of death.
According to family members, Druilhet and Christopher Rollins, of Westlake, were out fishing Friday and last made contact shortly before 10 p.m.
The Coast Guard said a concerned family member contacted its Lake Charles station at 11:20 p.m. Friday, to report that the two men had not returned.
Search and rescue from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Coast Guard, looked for Rollins throughout the day Saturday, twice halting the search due to thunderstorms.
Vehicles used in the search include two response boats from Lake Charles, an MH-65 Dolphin rescue helicopter from Houston and other assets from the Sheriff’s Office and LDWF.
Bilytha Druilhet, 23, said her younger brother had a pleasant personality.
“He had a great sense of humor, he loved to pray, he took his Bible everywhere,” she said
“He loved to fish. As soon as he got off of work, he would go fishing. And, he loved to sing. He would always sing gospel tunes and would sometimes rap a little. We were always joking around with each other growing up.”
Bilytha said she and William grew up in Jeanerette and moved to Lake Charles about three years ago.
LDWF has recovered the vessel and will be the lead investigative agency for the boating crash incident.
Anyone with information about the missing person should call 1-800-442-2511.
Posted By: monica On: 7/22/2012
Title:
This is so sad I am very truly sorry to William Jr's family. Ya'll will be in our prayers as well as William. Prayers for our family to, everybody please pray and hope that they find Christopher rollins today. I am hoping and praying the best for both of our family's..dear Jesus please help us to bring Christopher Rollins of west lake home today. In Jesus name amen...
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