What to Know
- The incident happened on Sept. 4, 2022 when George Pino was at the helm of the 29-foot vessel with 14 people on board when he crashed into a channel marker near Boca Chita Key, authorities said.
- Pino, 55, is facing second-degree manslaughter and vessel homicide charges for the crash that claimed the life of 17-year-old Lucy Fernandez and left another teen, Katy Puig, with permanent injuries.
- Fernandez was a senior at Our Lady of Lourdes Academy in Miami at the time of the crash.
- An incident report showed that there were 61 empty alcoholic bottles and cans on the boat, but authorities did not give Pino a sobriety test at the time of the crash. He claimed he had two beers.
Jurors on Tuesday returned to court for George Pino’s trial after the South Florida developer appeared to have a breakdown during opening arguments, which caused a judge to pause proceedings for the day.
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Pino’s defense is expected to finish its opening statements.
Authorities say George Pino, a prominent real estate developer, was at the helm of the 29-foot vessel with 14 people on board when he crashed into a channel marker near Boca Chita Key on Sept. 4, 2022. The boat capsized and all the passengers, including several teens, were thrown into the water.
Lucy Fernandez, a senior at Our Lady of Lourdes Academy in Miami, died from drowning from the injuries she sustained in the crash. Katerina Puig, another passenger who was 18 at the time, was left permanently disabled.
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Pino faces a second-degree manslaughter and vessel homicide charges in the crash. He could face up to 30 years in prison if convicted.
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This is a developing story. Refresh for updates.