George Pino, a Miami real estate developer, has been found not guilty in connection with a tragic boat accident that occurred in Biscayne Bay on Labor Day weekend in 2022. The crash left one teenager dead and another severely injured.
The verdict was delivered on Monday, acquitting Pino, aged 55, who faced charges of second-degree manslaughter and vessel homicide. These charges were related to the death of 17-year-old Lucy Fernandez and the permanent injuries suffered by another teen, Katy Puig, now 21.
The decision follows eight days of emotional testimony in South Florida. Prosecutors argued that Pino was responsible for crashing his boat into a channel marker. They claimed he was reckless, while the defense asserted the incident was an unfortunate accident.
“We are grateful to the jurors for their careful consideration of the evidence and for reaching a just verdict,” said Howard Srebnick, Pino’s lead defense attorney. The evidence presented at trial, including testimonies from eyewitnesses, showed Pino was not impaired, was not operating the vessel recklessly, and tried to protect his passengers.
Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez-Rundle, who led the prosecution, expressed disappointment with the verdict but accepted the jury’s decision. She stressed the severity of the tragedy, emphasizing the long-lasting impact on the Fernandez and Puig families.
The boating accident happened on September 4, 2022, when Pino hosted a birthday celebration for his daughter. While returning to dock, Pino’s boat struck a channel marker near Boca Chita Key. He attributed the collision to the wake produced by another passing vessel, which diverted his attention.
The crash resulted in all passengers being thrown into the water. A significant impact left a large breach in the vessel’s side. Out of the 14 passengers, 11 suffered injuries, with six requiring hospitalization. Tragically, Lucy Fernandez died from her injuries, and Katy Puig sustained a traumatic brain injury leading to lifelong disabilities.
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