Summer weekend turns tragic for Warren family

It was supposed to be fun in the sun. Instead, 23-year-old Loyd Thomas never returned home after he drowned at a Detroit area park.

Thomas was with a friend at Stoney Creek Metro Park last week. His friend says they were racing when suddenly, the water was 14 feet deep and both started to struggle. When rescuers arrived, they had to make a choice because they could only save one of the men. 

Monica Thomas, Loyd's mother, said her son called her just that day.

"He had actually called me that day and I missed his call. Then when I called back it went into his answering machine and then I hear from the detectives that my baby had drowned out there that day," she said Wednesday.

She said her son was a strong swimmer and is still trying to figure out what happened.

"His daddy taught him and his sister and his other brother how to swim - he swam like a fish - he was a great swimmer - that's why we can't understand how he drowned out here at this park that day."

The family said they'll remember Loyd Jr. as both smart and driven. The 23-year-old was a student at Northwestern Technical School who also worked several jobs and was a great singer.

"I can only say that he's singing for the Lord now"

At 8:30 on Wednesday, the family will hold a vigil on Yvonne Street near Schoennher in Warren. 

Funeral services are Thursday. CLICK HERE for details and to donate to the family's GoFundMe to help pay for the funeral.