Cortland man charged in boating accident on Skaneateles Lake

CORTLAND, N.Y. - A local man has been charged with assault in connection with a boating accident that happened on Skaneateles Lake on Sunday.

Erich Lindhorst, 28, of Cortland, is charged with first-degree vehicular assault and boating while intoxicated, according to the Onondaga County Sheriff's Office.

At around 6 p.m. Sunday, Lindhorst started the 19-foot Sea Ray boat and put it in reverse and struck one of his friends with the boat's propellers, authorities said. The accident happened near Sandy Beach.

The victim, 28-year-old Kyle Crosley, of Penfield, had been swimming near the back of the boat, the sheriff's office said.

Crosley was airlifted to Upstate University Hospital, where he is listed in critical condition. He suffered injuries to his lower abdomen and thigh.