Brad Allen Becker (Source: Maricopa County Sheriff's Office)
PHOENIX (3TV/CBS 5) -
The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday announced an arrest in a hit-and-run boat collision that severely injured a 15-year-old boy at Bartlett Lake over the summer.
Alec Medina was on a jet ski when a "fishing-style" boat hit him on Saturday, Aug. 5, MCSO said.
"He was at the lake on a jet ski and apparently the boat went where it wasn't supposed to and ran him over and they just took off," Alec’s father, Chris Garcia, said a couple of days later.
Good Samaritans came to Alec’s aid.
"For everyone that was there and helping my grandson, thank you so much; you don't know what a blessing you are in our life," Michelle Medina, Alec’s grandmother, said.
[RELATED: Family of boating hit & run victim pleads for information]
[ORIGINAL STORY: MCSO needs public's help after boat accident involving teenager]
One of those good Samaritans was Michael Banach. He pulled Alec out of the water.
At the time, it wasn’t clear if the teen would survive his injuries. He was in a coma for a few weeks and remained hospitalized for several months.
According to Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone, Alec’s family said the teen is doing well as he continues to recover.
Banach didn’t just help Alec the day he was hurt. He also put up his own money for a reward that was offered in Alec's case.
Banach said Wednesday that he just wanted “to do what’s right.”
[RELATED: Good Samaritan talks about helping teen hurt in hit-and-run boat accident]
Penzone, who was extremely complimentary of Banach, said an anonymous tip pointed investigators at the suspect. The lead detective ran with the information and put together enough for an arrest.
“This is what exceptional police work looks like,” Penzone said.
[RELATED: MCSO deputies seek two 'persons of interest' in Bartlett Lake boat crash]
The suspect, Brad Allen Becker, is on parole from out of state, according to Penzone. He was arrested Tuesday.
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