Lawyer for the boat operator involved in the Clearwater ferry accident denies leaving the scene, as victim's kin seek clarification.
In the wake of the boating tragedy that occurred off Clearwater, Florida, on Sunday, the driver of the vessel, Jeff Knight, is under fire for allegedly abandoning the scene after colliding with a ferry, leading to one fatality and several injuries. However, Knight's attorney disputes these claims, insisting that his client remained at the accident scene and even offered assistance to the ferry passengers.
The incident occurred when the ferry, transporting passengers from a popular sand and sculpting competition, was struck by a recreational boat around 8:40 p.m. near Memorial Causeway Bridge. Initially, Clearwater police reported that the boat driver had fled the scene, but the investigation seems to indicate that the boat did stay at the scene for a certain period.
On Tuesday, Knight's attorney penned a letter to investigators refuting the allegations of a hit-and-run. The attorney alleges that Knight directed a passenger to call 911 and kept the phone line open for nearly 12 minutes, providing updates to emergency services. He further claims that Knight stabilized the ferry by tying his boat to it and helped maneuver it closer to shore to facilitate the arrival of first responders.
After ensuring that emergency personnel had reached the ferry passengers, Knight realized his boat was taking on water and feared it might sink, the attorney's letter states. Only then did he leave the scene, with the goal of preventing the boat from sinking with a young passenger aboard. The attorney's letter cites several witnesses who corroborate Knight's account.
Despite these claims, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Coast Guard, two agencies currently investigating the crash, have not provided any additional information, citing the active investigation.
The deceased passenger, identified as Jose Castro, was a devoted father and postal worker. His family, distraught over his death, is seeking answers and justice. "It's not fair. I want justice for my brother," said Castro's sister, Sandy Todd, in an interview with CNN affiliate WFTS. The family has expressed frustration over the lack of charges, and a GoFundMe page has been set up to cover Castro's funeral expenses and fly his family in from Peru.
The investigation is centered on three key aspects: whether the boat remained at the scene, questions over the ferry's lighting and navigation, and the ongoing joint investigation by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the U.S. Coast Guard. Authorities have not announced any charges as of April 30, acknowledging the complexity of maritime accident protocols.
- Jeff Knight's attorney wrote a letter to investigators, refuting allegations of a hit-and-run by his client, citing that Knight kept a phone line open with emergency services for nearly 12 minutes and offered assistance to the ferry passengers.
- The attorney for Jeff Knight claims that Knight tied his boat to the ferry after the collision, helping to maneuver it closer to shore to facilitate the arrival of first responders, but realized his boat was taking on water and left the scene to prevent it from sinking with a young passenger aboard.
- The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Coast Guard, two agencies currently investigating the boat crash, have not provided any additional information, citing the active investigation.
- After the boating tragedy that led to the death of Jose Castro, a dedicated father and postal worker, his family has expressed frustration over the lack of charges and has set up a GoFundMe page to cover Castro's funeral expenses and fly his family in from Peru, seeking justice for Castro.
