Boat collision ejects 2 passengers into Albert Lea’s Fountain Lake

Two boats collided Thursday evening on Albert Lea’s Fountain Lake, ejecting two people into the water.

No one was injured.

The Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office said a boat stopped on the water was struck by a second boat pulling a knee board. The boat pulling the knee board ended up on top of the stern of the boat sitting on the water and was stuck for a short period of time.

Two people were ejected from the boat pulling the knee board, and once the boats were separated, the boat with the knee board left the scene, without exchanging information, according to a news release.

People on the other boat called the collision in to dispatchers.

Subsequent investigation found Adam John Flategraff, 23, was driving the boat pulling the knee board at the time of the crash. Deputies cited him for unsafe operation of a watercraft.

Robert James Hanson Jr., 23, drove the boat away from the scene and was arrested on local warrants.

Alcohol was not a factor.

A news release stated Flategraff did not see the other boat because of the sun and the bow of the boat being up in the air.

Both boats were damaged but were able to make it to shore.

The Albert Lea Police Department assisted the Sheriff’s Office with the investigation.

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