Florida Senator Proposes Tougher Boating Laws After Teen's Death in 2022 Crash

The legislation seeks to align boating penalties with motor vehicle laws, including stricter consequences for reckless behavior and alcohol-related violations.

• Senator Ileana Garcia introduced SB 58 to increase penalties for boating accidents causing severe injury or death, elevating charges to a third-degree felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
• The bill was inspired by a 2022 boating crash in Biscayne Bay that killed 17-year-old Lucy Fernandez and seriously injured her classmate, Katerina Puig.
• Proposed changes include mandatory boating safety cards, stricter penalties for refusing alcohol breath tests, and aligning boating laws with motor vehicle regulations.
• The Miami Herald's investigation revealed potential mishandling of the crash case, including missed opportunities to test for impairment and overlooked witness accounts.
• George Pino, the boat operator in the crash, now faces felony vessel homicide charges, which carry a potential 15-year prison sentence; he has pleaded not guilty.

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