CLEARWATER, FL – Jeff Knight has pleaded not guilty in the deadly boating accident that killed one man and injured 10 others near the Clearwater Memorial Causeway on April 17, according to FOX 13.
Jeff Knight was operating a boat when he collided with the Clearwater Ferry around 8:30 p.m. The ferry was carrying 45 passengers.
Ten people aboard the ferry were injured, and one man, Jose Castro, died in the collision.
Knight then allegedly fled the scene of the accident and headed south towards his home. He was stopped by the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office in the water. Knight told deputies that he stayed at the scene to render aid to the victims when his boat began to take on water, and he left.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers issued a search warrant and revealed that Knight tried to prevent his passengers from calling 911. Knight’s all-around white light was also allegedly not displayed on his boat.
Investigators charged Knight with 24 charges, including eight counts of felony leaving the scene of a boating accident involving death and serious bodily injury and 16 counts of violating different navigational rules.
Authorities have also charged the Clearwater Ferry captain, Dennis Kimerer, with violating a navigation rule for not having a working stern light at the time of the collision.
Reach out to the local Pinellas County boating accident lawyers at Whittel & Melton, LLC if you have lost a loved one in a crash that was not their fault. If representation is agreed upon, our team will represent you on a contingency basis. You and your family won’t need to provide any upfront financial resources for this claim. Our costs and fees are taken from the resulting settlement, verdict or court award if the claim is successful. You can reach us by completing our contact form or calling 866-608-5529.