Man identified in fatal boat crash

BERLIN TWP. — Authorities on Friday released the name the man killed in a boat collision near Huron Tuesday evening. Wayde Lafferty, 55, of Vermilion, died in the crash, according to Erie County Coroner Brian Baxter. Lafferty was one of four people involved in the collision. Two others were injured and one person is still missing. The calls came into the Coast Guard and Huron Fire Department around 8:30 p.m., which involved two speedboats colliding near Cranberry Creek in Berlin Township. A Good Samaritan nearby assisted rescue teams in retrieving three people from the water. Lafferty was later declared dead at the hospital, and two others were treated for back injuries and hypothermia. Their status is unknown. Both boats, a GLS 195 Sea Nymph and a 1000BR Galaxy, were pulled from the lake and taken by Ohio Department of Natural Resources and is being kept as evidence. The identity of the missing person is still unknown. U.S. Coast Guard water and air units looked for the person through Tuesday night but ceased the search Wednesday morning. Ohio Department of Natural Resources continues to search with assistance from local agencies, spokesperson Stephanie O'Grady. The Coast Guard and Ohio Department of Natural Resources have refused to release names and any other details of the crash. According to his obituary, Lafferty was an avid fisherman and captain of a boat in Key West, Florida. His memorial service is scheduled for Dec. 11 at Amvets Post 22, on State Route 60 in Vermilion; The time of the service hasn't yet been announced.