UPDATE: Man arrested after 2 children hospitalized from jet ski accident on Stearns County lake
Stearns County deputies arrested a man who admitted to drinking before a jet ski accident that left two 9-year-old boys injured, one critically.
Ryan James Willis, 42, faces charges of criminal vehicular operation causing bodily harm and driving under the influence.
The Stearns County Sheriff’s Office says deputies received a call that two juveniles were hurt while riding on a tube behind a jet ski on Watab Lake at around 4:42 p.m. Saturday.
A criminal complaint states that the tube they were on crashed into a dock, leaving one boy with a fractured skull, a large cut on the right side of his head, a bruised right lung and bruising on the right side of his body. That boy was airlifted to the hospital.
The other boy was taken by ambulance for pain and concussion symptoms, according to the complaint.
A Stearns County deputy spoke to Willis, who said he was operating the 2015 Bombardier jet ski that was pulling the two boys. Willis said he “got too close to shore and the tube struck the neighbor’s dock” according to court records.
The complaint states that Willis admitted to drinking and that a breath test showed a BAC of .148. A blood test was also taken later that night.
Willis has a court appearance set for Tuesday morning.
He faces up to three years in prison if convicted.