Link to story from the Mille Lacs Messenger.
Man arrested following opening day boat accident
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Man arrested following
opening day boat accident
by Vivian Clark, Messenger Staff Writer
The Aitkin County Sheriff’s department responded to a boating accident that occurred on the north end of Mille Lacs Lake at 3:06 a.m. Saturday, May 14.
John Finch, 29, of Elk River, his sister Heidi Finch, 23, of Champlin and their uncle, Richard Pierson Jr., 52, of Glenwood, were anchored in a 20-foot Crestliner right in front of their relative’s home on the north shore.
John Finch said the three went out at midnight. “We were not catching anything, but had a nibble. We thought we would stay out for a little while longer. Later, I was just about to pull in the anchor, and I heard a boat and thought it was awfully close. I turned around and looked up just as the boat smashed into us.”
Finch received minor injuries. According to Finch, his sister was transported to Riverwood Healthcare Center in Aitkin where she was treated and released with contusions, seven stitches and a broken thumb. “Her arm is in a cast,” Finch said.
Pierson was airlifted to St. Cloud Hospital. “He is in a lot of pain,” Finch said. “They (hospital staff) don’t know the extent of his injuries because he is bruised and swollen.”
St. Cloud Hospital has Pierson listed in fair condition as of Monday, May 17.
According to the Aitkin Sheriff’s Department, the boat that collided with Finch’s boat was a 17-foot Stingray runabout operated by Jason Sampson, 27, of White Bear Lake.
Sampson was arrested at the scene and booked into Aitkin County jail on charges of DWI and criminal vehicular operation.
Îssue date: May 19, 2004. ©Mille Lacs Messenger Inc.