Lake Sonoma wakeboarding accident leads to arrest

A Santa Rosa man was arrested on suspicion of boating under the influence of alcohol after a wakeboarding accident that injured another person.

Andrew Scheff, 30, had consumed about twice the legal limit of alcohol to operate a boat when he was held Sunday at Lake Sonoma, Sgt. Cecile Focha said.

He was pulling a man at about 20 mph in the Dry Creek arm of the lake when the man fell off, hurt his back and hit his head, Focha said.

The man was able to swim back to the boat and was taken to the marina. A REACH helicopter flew him to a hospital. His identity and condition were not available.

Deputies interviewed Scheff and four passengers. Scheff was arrested at around 8 p.m. after showing signs of alcohol intoxication, she said.

He was booked on a felony charge of boating under the influence causing injury. His first court appearance is Friday.

You can reach Staff Writer Paul Payne at 568-5312 or paul.payne@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @ppayne.