Drunk Windsor, Ont. man apologizes for swimming to Detroit

Eight beers and a few prods from his troublemaking pals lead a Windsor man to swim drunkenly across the Detroit River on Monday night, prompting an international search and making his mom very angry.

John Morillo told the Windsor Star he's been saying he could cross the river for 20 years. Last night, fueled by several beers and the common sense of someone with a point to prove, he jumped into the water and swam to Detroit.

[ Related: Windsor man loses his left leg – again ]

And he wants you to know he made it.

However, his adventure will probably cost him a hefty fine, anywhere from $5,000 to $25,000 for swimming in a shipping channel.

The water really heated up for Morillo when his neighbour called the police because she couldn't see him in the water, according to the Star. A helicopter and three boats from the U.S. and Canadian coast guards searched until they found him at nearly 1 A.M.

Worse, Morillo told the Star his mother was furious. He said she called him stupid and hung up. Morillo apologized to the coast guard for the disturbance he caused by endangering himself in the risky river waters.

[ Related: Despite mutual dislike, Michigan may need Detroit ]

But he says he earned his 15 minutes of fame when he climbed out of the water at Detroit's Renaissance Center and the people standing nearby began to ask if they could take their pictures with him.

He probably felt less like a celebrity after spending the night in jail.