Man Who Allegedly Police On High-Speed Boat Chase Charged
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – A Twin Cities father accused of leading police on a boat chase with a baby in tow has been charged Monday.
Thirty-three-year-old Ryan Krueger, of Mound, was charged with one count each of fleeing a police officer, terroristic threats or reckless disregard, child endangerment and operating a motorboat under the influence of alcohol.
According to authorities, around 8:30 p.m. on the Fourth of July, Krueger led police on a high-speed boat chase on Lake Minnetonka.
Police had heard a call regarding a domestic incident.
Krueger had gotten into a fight with his child's mother.
At the same time, deputies on the lake noticed a boat circling a woman in the water, creating a wake which was against the no-wake restrictions.
Police said later the woman jumped into the water to get away from Krueger.
When police approached him, they noted Krueger was holding a nine-month-old child on his lap and the child was not wearing a life jacket.
Upon arrival, officers helped the woman out of the water and began questioning her and Krueger.
Krueger told police the woman had been drunk and jumped out of the boat. He appeared to be intoxicated.
The woman said she had been involved in a domestic with Krueger and jumped out to get away from him.
She then began yelling at Krueger to put a life jacket on her child.
At that point Krueger began slowly driving away.
Police asked Krueger to stop or he would be arrested, but he sped away.
Water Patrol then chased Krueger around Lake Minnetonka. The chase lasted roughly 15 minutes and was caught on camera by a neighbor.
When police finally stopped Krueger the child was on the flood or the boat and he was standing with clenched fists.
When police attempted to board the boat, Krueger tried to hit them. He then used the child as a human shield to ward off police advances.
Officers were finally able to subdue him by spraying him with pepper spray when he wasn't holding the child.
Krueger's blood alcohol level was 0.15, nearly twice the legal limit.
The child was given to protective services until the mother was sober enough to take the child home.
Krueger faces fines and possible jail time if found guilty.
