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Elliot Olsen has more than 20 years’ experience representing people harmed in motor vehicle collisions, and he has regained millions of dollars in compensation for his clients. If you or a family member was injured in a snowmobile collision and believe negligence played a role, please call him at 612-337-6126, or complete the following:
UPDATE, JAN. 29
Eric Joseph Coleman, 45, of Chisago City, MN, was charged with criminal vehicular operation, DUI and criminal vehicular operation resulting in great bodily harm for Friday night’s injurious snowmobile collision. An electronic warrant was issued for Coleman while he was hospitalized with what authorities said were multiple injuries, including a broken arm.
Coleman’s license has been revoked three times for alcohol-related incidents, the last time in November when his blood-alcohol concentration was allegedly 0.30.
UPDATE, JAN. 28
According to a CaringBridge page established by the family, the injured boy – 8-year-old Alan Geisenkoetter Jr. – suffered “significant swelling” of his brain, a bruised lung and many broken bones. He’s hospitalized in the Twin Cities.
In addition, the Sheriff’s Office said it has arrested the snowmobile driver.
ORIGINAL POST, JAN. 27
A snowmobile collision in Chisago County, MN, left three people hospitalized, one critically, news sources are reporting.
The snowmobile driver admitted to drinking before the crash and was arrested, the Chisago County Sheriff’s Office said.
The snowmobile collision occurred shortly before 8 p.m. Friday on Chisago Lake in east central Minnesota. The snowmobile drove into a group of people building an icehouse on the lake.
One man was taken to a hospital with noncritical injuries. His juvenile son also was struck and was airlifted to a hospital with head trauma and two broken legs. He is in critical condition.
The snowmobile driver was taken to the hospital with multiple injuries, including a broken arm.
The Minneapolis Star Tribune reported that deputies obtained a search warrant and took a blood sample from the driver. Neither the driver’s name nor other identification has been released by authorities.
Snowmobile collision: Thousands yearly
According to the Vermont Legislative Research Shop, thousands of snowmobile collisions occur annually in the United States. There are three main causes for the collisions:
- natural obstacles
- excessive speed
- alcohol intoxication.
Snowmobile collision: MN statutes
In the late 1990s, the state of Minnesota instituted two laws intended to cut down on the number of snowmobile collisions:
- Effective Oct. 1, 1998, all people born after 1979 must obtain a Snowmobile Safety Certificate before they can operate a snowmobile.
- Effective Jan. 1, 1998, anyone found guilty of operating a snowmobile while under the influence of alcohol and having prior DWI violations will have their driver’s license confiscated. They will also lose the right to operate recreational vehicles.
