Sauk Rapids-Rice principal not liable for boy’s injuries according to courts

SAUK RAPIDS, Minn. – Austin Motl was paralyzed and won’t walk again after falling during a jump on a snowboard in January 2006. The incident occured at Powder Ridge under principle Larry Stracke’s supervision. The activity was school-sponsored at the Powder Ridge Recreation Area and Stracke wasn’t found liable, according to the state Court of Appeals.

The family of Motl appealed the decision. Stracke and the school district is protected by official immunity meaning “protects a public official charged by law with duties that call for the exercise of judgement or discretion unless the official is guilty of willful or malicious wrong.”

To show the lack of supervision, Hall pointed out that students skiing with Motl had to go help him at the bottom of the hill.