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MPR News Staff
St. Paul

Snowmobiler faces murder charge in death of child on Chisago Lake

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A Chisago County grand jury has brought a third-degree murder charge against Eric Joseph Coleman, who prosecutors say was snowmobiling drunk on Chisago Lake when he crashed into an 8-year-old boy who was ice fishing with his family.

Alan Geisenkoetter Jr. died from his injuries. The second-grader was dragged across the lake after being hit. Both his legs were broken and he suffered lung and severe head injuries. His father was also injured.

Coleman's blood-alcohol level was more than twice the legal limit, three hours after the crash, Chisago County Attorney Janet Reiter said Thursday as she disclosed the indictment. He also faces charges of criminal vehicular operation and driving under the influence.

According to Reiter's office, Coleman at the time of the crash was facing charges in Anoka County for criminal vehicular operation stemming from a November 2017 incident where he allegedly crashed his truck into another vehicle in Fridley, injuring the driver and fleeing the scene; when Coleman was caught, his blood-alcohol was allegedly more than three times the legal limit.