Wife of Injured Man Describes Terrifying Boat Hit-and-Run

A father of two is facing a months-long recovery after someone slammed into his family's boat on the Fourth of July, then left the scene.

Thirty-nine-year-old Terry Erickson of West Fargo was seriously injured in the crash, which happened Wednesday night on Big Cormorant Lake in Becker.

Witnesses say Erickson's boat, which was carrying his wife, two children and another man, was parked when another boat slammed into it at 30 to 40 miles per hour. One witness described seeing the moving boat jump into the air.

Julie Schmidt was among the people who jumped in the water to help the injured. She recalls the actions of the people aboard the other boat before they left the scene.

"They were arguing with the people in the water that were hurt and I just felt like someone should be doing something," Schmidt said.

Erickson suffered a broken pelvis and a broken leg in the crash; his 4-year-old daughter sustained minor injuries.

Erickson's wife, Taryn, says her husband's recovery is expected to take three months. He will miss work during that time.

The boat carrying the family had its lights on at the time of the crash, authorities say.

The Becker County Sheriff's Office is asking for the public's help in locating the suspect boat, which is described as an 18 to 20-foot white or cream colored boat, possibly with a cabin-style helm and a darker stripe along the side of the boat. Authorities say the boat should have some damage to the bow or front area.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the sheriff's office at 218-847-2661.