*This is a note that this story might be a little disturbing for people.

What started out as an evening of drinking at a house in Eau Claire turned into a dangerous and bizarre incident. One man was jailed and another man is recovering from graphic burns suffered after prosecutors say they were watching a movie that features outlandish stunts. Eau Claire County Assistant District Attorney Mike Steuer says 20 year old Jared W. Anderson of Bloomer is suffering from second degree burns to his genitalia. Steuer says Anderson voluntarily did this at a house party Sunday. He was taken to Luther Hospital and later flown to Regions Hospital's Burn Unit in St. Paul. 43 year old Randell Peterson allegedly helped burn Anderson after watching a movie based on a popular MTV reality show. “People that were there said that after he saw the movie he told people that he wanted to do this--light his genitals and he proceeded to enlist Mr. Peterson's help in doing so,” said Steuer. According to the criminal complaint, Peterson sprayed lighter fluid on Anderson's genitalia and tried to light him but it didn't work so they tried again--spraying more fluid which got on his clothing. The second time, it sparked and Anderson's genitals, hands and clothing all caught fire. He ran into the bathroom and jumped in the bath tub to put out the flames. Steuer says Anderson was intoxicated during the incident. Steuer says it's against the law to help anyone harm themselves.

We spoke with the victim. He claims he was actually attacked and that starting the fire was nothing he wanted done. He says he was intoxicated at the party and peterson squirted lighter fluid on him and was flicking a lighter close to him as a joke, but he ended up getting burned. Anderson plans on talking with police and the prosecutor about the discrepencies he says are in the criminal complaint.

Submitted on 03/08/2007

Submitted by: jason benson
Reference: http://www.weau.com/home/headlines/6366077.html

Copyright © 2007 DarwinAwards.com

James said:
Neutral: For Darwin's Eyes
Interesting, Jason! Suddenly the story is changing! Either Anderson doesn't want to own his stupidity, or Peterson assaulted a drunken Anderson from the get-go (which, unfortunately, would automatically disqualify this story). I will pass it on to Darwin!

Chip said:
Neutral: For Darwin's Eyes
Interesting twist. Thanks for sending the update, Jason

Bruce said:
Definitely Keep: For Darwin's Eyes
Thanks for submitting this Jason. We've already gotten a lot of repeats of this story but this one is pointing it in a potentially different direction.

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