Miami Developer Found Not Guilty in 2022 Boat Crash Case

A Miami real estate developer, George Pino, walked free after being found not guilty following a tragic boat crash in September 2022. The incident near Boca Chita Key in Biscayne Bay resulted in the death of one teenager and left another with life-altering injuries.

George Pino, aged 55, was accused of second-degree manslaughter and vessel homicide due to the crash that took 17-year-old Lucy Fernandez’s life. It also left another young woman, Katy Puig, now 21, with permanent disabilities. After eight emotional days of testimony, the verdict was announced on Monday, acquitting Pino, according to NBC 6.

Prosecutors claimed that Pino acted recklessly while driving his boat during Labor Day weekend in 2022. They argued that his negligence led to the collision with a channel marker. However, the defense team maintained that the crash was a tragic accident.

“We are grateful to the jurors for their careful consideration of the evidence and for reaching a just verdict,” said defense attorney Howard Srebnick. “The testimony at trial indicated no signs of impairment, showing Mr. Pino was not under the influence or operating recklessly.”

Katherine Fernandez-Rundle, the Miami-Dade State Attorney, expressed disappointment with the verdict but respected the jury’s decision. She noted that although the incident caused immense grief, the court deemed Pino’s actions non-criminal under Florida’s statutes.

On the day of the incident, Pino had organized a birthday party for his daughter on their family boat. Reports stated that as George Pino navigated back to the dock, his 29-foot vessel hit a channel marker. The crash resulted from a large wake caused by another passing boat, which Pino turned to check on. This distraction led to the tragic collision. The impact hurled all 14 passengers overboard, causing severe injuries.

Among the injured, six were hospitalized. Sadly, Lucy Fernandez succumbed to her injuries, and Katy Puig suffered a traumatic brain injury, resulting in enduring disabilities. Pino’s acquittal brings mixed emotions, as families of the victims continue to deal with their tragic loss.