Craig Miller Obituary: Three Dead in Lake St. Clair Boating Accident Near MacRay Harbor
Three Michigan residents—Craig Miller, 52, of Macomb Township; Heidi Baldwin, 56, of St. Clair Shores; and Gerald Grzadzinski, 64, of Chesterfield Township—died following a two-boat collision on Lake St. Clair near MacRay Harbor in Harrison Township on October 7, 2026.
The collision led to an overnight search and recovery operation involving the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office Marine Division and its Underwater Search and Rescue Team. The three victims were recovered from a submerged boat early Thursday morning, October 8.
A fourth person from their boat, a 58-year-old woman from Chesterfield Township, survived after swimming to shore and seeking help. The circumstances surrounding the collision remain under investigation.
What Happened in the Lake St. Clair Boating Accident?
The collision occurred at approximately 8 p.m. on Wednesday, October 7, near MacRay Harbor in Harrison Township, Michigan.
According to information reported by local media, two vessels were involved: a black 1981 23-foot Formula Thunderbird and a white 1991 28-foot Sea Ray Sundancer.
The Formula Thunderbird capsized and became submerged following the collision. A passenger from that boat, a 58-year-old woman from Chesterfield Township, managed to reach shore and seek assistance. Authorities received a 911 call at approximately 10:48 p.m., several hours after the reported collision.
Marine deputies and underwater search-and-rescue personnel searched through the night. At around 5 a.m. on October 8, divers recovered three people from the submerged vessel. All three were pronounced dead at the scene.
Remembering Craig Miller, 52
Craig Miller, of Macomb Township, was 52. His death in the Lake St. Clair boating accident has left family members, friends and others who knew him facing a sudden loss.
The available reporting identifies Miller as one of the three people aboard the capsized Formula Thunderbird. However, detailed information about his personal life, career, interests and family has not been established in the information reviewed.
A fuller remembrance would benefit from verified details shared by relatives or friends, allowing his life to be remembered beyond the circumstances of the accident.
Remembering Heidi Baldwin, 56
Heidi Baldwin, 56, of St. Clair Shores, was also among those who died in the collision.
Her death adds to the grief experienced by the families and communities connected to the three victims. Public reports have confirmed her identity and age, but further biographical information and details about her family have not been included in the reports reviewed.
Any additional tribute should preserve the distinction between confirmed information and details that only relatives or close friends can provide.
Remembering Gerald Grzadzinski, 64
Gerald Grzadzinski, 64, of Chesterfield Township, was the third person recovered from the submerged boat.
His death, alongside those of Miller and Baldwin, has brought profound sorrow to the people who knew them. While the circumstances of the accident have been reported, a detailed account of Grzadzinski’s life and personal legacy has not yet been established in the available public information.
Further details may emerge through family announcements or funeral-home notices.
Survivor Swam to Shore for Help
A 58-year-old woman from Chesterfield Township survived the collision after swimming to shore from the capsized boat. She was taken to a local hospital with injuries described as non-life-threatening and was expected to recover.
Reports indicate that the swim may have taken between an hour and an hour and a half. The woman’s effort to reach shore ultimately led to emergency services being alerted to the incident.
Authorities have not publicly established all the circumstances surrounding the collision, and the survivor’s account forms part of the information being examined during the investigation.
Investigation Into the Fatal Collision
The Macomb County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the crash. The operator of the Sea Ray Sundancer, a 40-year-old man from Roseville, was reported to be cooperating with investigators.
Three other people—a 36-year-old woman from Roseville, another adult woman and a child—were also reported to have been aboard the Sea Ray. Their presence has been documented in news reports, but the available information does not establish that they were injured.
Investigators are examining the circumstances of the collision and the vessels involved. No final determination of the cause or responsibility had been reported in the information reviewed.
Lake St. Clair Boating Accident: Key Details
Detail Confirmed information
Victims Craig Miller, Heidi Baldwin and Gerald Grzadzinski
Ages 52, 56 and 64, respectively
Hometowns Macomb Township, St. Clair Shores and Chesterfield Township, Michigan
Date of collision October 7, 2026
Approximate time 8 p.m.
Location Lake St. Clair near MacRay Harbor, Harrison Township, Michigan
Boats involved 1981 Formula Thunderbird and 1991 Sea Ray Sundancer
Emergency call Approximately 10:48 p.m. on October 7
Bodies recovered Approximately 5 a.m. on October 8
Survivor A 58-year-old Chesterfield Township woman
Survivor’s reported condition Non-life-threatening injuries
Investigating agency Macomb County Sheriff’s Office
Cause of collision Not yet established in the reports reviewed
Funeral arrangements Not confirmed in the information reviewed
A Community Mourns Three Lives Lost
The deaths of Craig Miller, Heidi Baldwin and Gerald Grzadzinski have brought a painful loss to their families, friends and wider communities. The sudden nature of the collision has left loved ones with the difficult task of processing the loss while authorities continue their investigation.
News reports can establish the timeline of an emergency response and identify those who died, but they cannot fully describe the relationships, experiences and memories that defined each person’s life. Further personal tributes and family announcements may provide a more complete picture of the three victims and the legacies they leave behind.
Heartfelt condolences go to the families, friends and everyone mourning Craig Miller, Heidi Baldwin and Gerald Grzadzinski.
Funeral and Memorial Arrangements
Specific funeral, visitation, burial and memorial arrangements for the three victims were not confirmed in the information reviewed. Readers should look for announcements from the families or their chosen funeral homes for verified service details.
Disclaimer
This article summarizes public reporting about the October 7, 2026, boating collision near MacRay Harbor on Lake St. Clair. The investigation remains ongoing, and the cause of the crash has not been established in the information reviewed. Personal and funeral details should be confirmed through reliable family announcements or authorized notices. Information may be updated as authorities release further findings.
