A Miami real estate broker who guided a boat into a marker in Biscayne Bay, resulting in the death of a 17-year-old passenger and causing another teenager to be permanently disabled, will be facing two misdemeanor charges.
George Pino, aged 52, has been formally accused of causing death through vessel operation, as well as causing serious bodily harm through vessel operation. The announcement of these charges was made by the State Attorney’s Office, led by Katherine Fernandez Rundle, on Friday.
The incident took place on September 4, 2022, which was Labor Day. According to a lawsuit, Pino was taking a group of teenagers out to celebrate his daughter’s birthday.
The state attorney’s office stated in a released statement, “The charges brought against Pino were limited due to the driving pattern of the vessel, which was evident from the boat’s GPS system, and the absence of drug or alcohol impairment by the boat operator during its operation.”
Pino was in control of the 29-foot Robalo vessel, equipped with twin 300 horsepower engines, carrying 11 students from the Miami area and two adult passengers.
On its way back to the dock, the boat collided with a visible channel marker in Cutter Bank near Ocean Reef Club in the Upper Keys. This collision tore a significant hole in the hull of the boat and resulted in multiple passengers being thrown into the water.
The tragic incident led to the death of Luciana Fernandez and the serious injury of Katherine Puig, also aged 17. An attorney representing Puig’s family expressed their indignation to the Miami Herald, stating that they were deeply disappointed with the fact that Pino was charged with only two misdemeanors.
The attorney, Brent Reitman, told the Herald, “It appears that the FWC (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission) did not consider the possibility that the vehicle operator might have been under the influence of alcohol to the extent that it impaired his normal faculties.” The newspaper also reported that Pino was not subjected to an alcohol test at the accident scene by the FWC.
