The Florida Senate’s recent passage of “Lucy’s Law” has brought fresh attention to the tragic boating accident that occurred on Biscayne Bay in September 2022.
This legislation, championed by State Rep. Vicki Lopez, aims to increase penalties for reckless or careless boat operators following the death of Luciana “Lucy” Fernandez.
Lucy, a senior at Our Lady of Lourdes Academy, lost her life a day after a boat crashed into a fixed channel marker near Boca Chita Key, during an 18th birthday celebration.
The incident involved George Pino, who was operating the boat that carried Lucy and 11 other teenage girls. One of the passengers, Katy Puig, suffered a traumatic brain injury as a result of the crash.
In light of new revelations surrounding the case, Rep. Lopez has demanded a more thorough independent investigation.
Reports from the Miami Herald uncovered that four officers from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) deleted footage from their body cameras immediately after the crash.
The officers classified the video as “incidental,” which allowed for its automatic deletion after 90 days, despite the policy requiring retention of footage related to criminal investigations.
Lopez expressed her outrage on social media, saying, “It is obvious that a full investigation is warranted into what actually happened on that harrowing day.”
According to her, the fact that all four trained officers deleted the footage raises serious questions about their conduct and the investigation’s integrity.
Additional information surfaced recently, revealing text exchanges between FWC Chair Rodney Barreto and Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle regarding the charges against Pino.
These texts, accidentally disclosed to the Miami Herald, provide insight into discussions held six months after the incident.
Initially, Pino faced three misdemeanor charges, which were later dropped in favor of a felony charge that carries a minimum of 15 years in prison.
During the investigation, FWC officials found 61 empty alcohol bottles on board the boat, raising further concerns about Pino’s actions during the crash.
Pino has pleaded not guilty and is set to have a court hearing in July.
As the situation unfolds, House Bill 289, which accompanies “Lucy’s Law,” awaits the signature of Governor Ron DeSantis.
This proposed legislation aims to bolster boating safety by increasing penalties for reckless behavior, boating under the influence (BUI), and other violations.
It includes severe consequences for leaving the scene of a crash, depending on the severity of injuries, as well as penalties for providing false statements to law enforcement officers.
One significant aspect of the law is the requirement for mandatory boating safety education for anyone convicted of boating offenses, which advocates argue is essential for preventing future tragedies.
As new developments arise, the community continues to seek justice for Lucy and hopes that “Lucy’s Law” will lead to a safer environment on Florida’s waterways.
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