Clear Lake man charged in boating accident that injured several

CLEAR LAKE – A Clear Lake man has been charged with a number of crimes after a boating accident that left several persons injured.

After an investigation by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the Cerro Gordo County Sheriff’s Office, deputies arrested Andrew Nicholas, 28, of Clear Lake, at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, August 19. He has been charged with boating while intoxicated, reckless use of a watercraft, and speeding.

On August 3, 2014 at approximately 2:05 AM, Cerro Gordo County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a report of a boat accident with multiple injuries on Clear Lake at 1603 South Shore Drive. A 2000 Cobalt boat operated by Nicholas struck a docked 2010 Alumacraft boat and dock, destroying both. All passengers on the boat were treated by Clear Lake Fire & Rescue and Mason City Fire Medics.

Two persons were transported by ambulance, including Nicholas and 23-year-old Taylor Olson. Two persons, Erinn Heine, age 22, of Clear Lake and Michael Holmes, age 23, of Clear Lake, were transported by private vehicles to Mercy Medical Center North Iowa for their injuries. Others on the boat treated at the scene: Hunter Murray King, 21, of Clear Lake; Andrew Paul Burgmeier, 22, of Mason City; Matthew Thomas Palzkill, 25, of Mason City; Paige Elizabeth Bartleson, 23, of Clear Lake. Alexandria Jo Hayes, 22, of Clear Lake and Tiffini Marie Cieplenski, 20, of Forest City.

Andrew Nicholas is a former Clear Lake High School quarterback, coached by Fred Wieck, who has his own legal entanglements due to alcohol consumption. Earlier this year, the jovial pair joked on Facebook about drinking booze.

“Learning a lot about marketing your crop?” Fred Wieck asked Nicholas on January 19.

“Yes of course!” Nicholas shot back, “But I seem to have my head in the drink menu more than the marketing book.”