Boy, 8, dies after struck by snowmobile on Chisago County lake
WYOMING, Minn. — An 8-year-old boy who was struck by an allegedly intoxicated snowmobiler last week on a Chisago County lake has died.
Alan Geisenkoetter Jr., of Wyoming, Minn., died Wednesday, Jan. 31, after spending five days in critical condition at Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare in St. Paul, according to a post on his CaringBridge.com page.
“Alan’s brain damage was way worse then any of us thought,” the post said. “There was never a day we thought we would have to make a decision like this, the hardest decision we’ve ever made. Little Alan got his angel wings today.”
Alan Jr. was on Chisago Lake with his family setting up a portable ice fishing house shortly before 8 p.m. Friday, when a snowmobile driven by 45-year-old Eric Joseph Coleman struck Alan Jr. and his father, Alan Geisenkoetter Sr., according to criminal charges against Coleman.
Although Alan Sr.’s injuries were not life-threatening, Alan Jr. was airlifted to the hospital with severe head trauma and multiple fractures to both of his legs.
Coleman, of Chisago City, was arrested and transported to Regions Hospital, in St. Paul, with a broken arm. He was charged Monday with driving while intoxicated and two counts of criminal vehicular operation.