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Jet Ski Operator Charged After 2 Juveniles Hurt in Tubing Crash

The Stearns County Sheriff’s Office says two juveniles were injured in a tubing accident on Watab Lake in St. Wendel Township last Saturday afternoon when a tube being towed behind a jet ski collided with a dock near the shore.

The operator of the jet ski, 42-year-old Ryan James Willis, of St. Joseph, now faces multiple charges including two counts of criminal vehicular operation causing substantial bodily harm and DUI.

According to the criminal complaint, Willis was given a preliminary breath test which showed an alcohol concentration of .148. A blood draw was performed as part of a search warrant. Those results are still pending.

The criminal complaint says both juveniles are both nine years old. The first child was transported to St. Cloud Hospital by Mayo Ambulance for concussion symptoms, while the second juvenile was flown by North Air Ambulance to Children's Hospital to be treated for a skull fracture, a bruised lung, and a large laceration to the right side of his head.

Willis remains jailed and is scheduled to make an initial court appearance Tuesday morning.

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