Student drowns days before graduation

LOWELL, Mich. (WOOD) - A Godfrey-Lee student, who was pulled from a Lowell lake on Sunday, died just days before he was to graduate.

Dominque Florez, 19, was under water for about 10 minutes on the east side of Stoney Lakeside Park.

Bystanders helped locate Florez from the bottom of the lake. Authorities then aided in pulling him from the water.

Though emergency personnel performed CPR, he was unresponsive and rushed to the hospital.

Godfrey-Lee Public Schools Superintendent David Britten, in a statement released Monday, said Florez "was a senior at East Lee Campus and was expected to graduate Thursday.  He has been described as a good student who had many friends."

Helen Streetman, a classmate and friend said Florez was an outgoing teen who always thought of others.

"He even saved quite a few lives by donating blood when we had blood drives at the school," Streetman said.

Florez had been at the park with his girlfriend from Belmont and family members from Kentwood, authorities on the scene said.

He was apparently trying to walk to a small island just off shore, authorities said, and didn't realize he was separated from the island by some deep water. He is reportedly not a strong swimmer.

"It's a very tragic situation," Lowell Police Chief Barry Getzen said. "It is time for a reminder that it isn't always the big lakes, the small lakes inland can be hazardous. You have to make sure that you can sustain yourself in the water."

The lake was once a gravel pit, and 24 Hour News 8 was told there is a steep drop-off near where the 19-year-old went under.

There are no lifeguards at the public park, but that is clearly marked on signs.

Dan DesJarden, the director of public works for the city of Lowell said following Florez's death, they are considering adding signs to warn swimmers of the drop-offs in the lake.