George Pino, 55, has been found not guilty of vessel homicide and manslaughter charges over the death of 17-year-old Lucy Fernandez during a birthday boat party in Biscayne Bay, Florida
17-year-old Lucy Fernandez sadly died following the crash(Image: Handout)
A dad who threw a birthday celebration for his daughter and 12 friends that ended in catastrophe on a boat has been found not guilty by a jury today.
On September 4, 2022, George and Cecilia Pino hosted an 18th birthday celebration for their daughter aboard their boat. The group included several teenage girls who were lifelong friends and classmates including Lucy Fernandez.
According to investigators, George Pino was operating the family’s 29-foot boat as it returned to the dock when it struck a channel marker near Boca Chita Key. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue said Pino told investigators that another vessel had passed by and created a large wake. He allegedly said he turned to check on the girls after the wake and, in doing so, collided with the marker.
The collision tore a gaping hole in the vessel’s hull, hurling those on board into the water.
Six passengers were rushed to hospital but tragically one of his daughter’s friends, 17 year old Lucy Fernandez, tragically died and another friend was left with permanent injuries. Fernandez was reportedly trapped beneath the boat and died from drowning-related injuries in hospital approximately 12 hours later.
George Pino, 55, has now been cleared of vessel homicide and manslaughter following the boat crash near Boca Chita Key.
For two weeks, jurors heard testimony from more than 20 witnesses, including Fernandez’s father, Andres, and Pino’s wife, Cecilia. The jury also watched footage showing Fernandez and her friends jumping around the 29-foot vessel and singing along to Billy Joel’s “Uptown Girl,” illustrating how rapidly the party marking Pino’s daughter’s 18th birthday turned disastrous, NBC 6 South Florida reported.
“In a case like this, there are no winners or losers”
Throughout the trial Pino pleaded not guilty and maintained his innocence. During closing arguments, Pino began to cry as his defense claimed that the crash was an accident.
Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez-Rundle released the following statement after the verdict: “In a case like this, there are no winners or losers. Mr. Pino must live with what he did, while the Fernandez and Puig families will grapple with the consequences of his actions. hese families and, to some extent, our community as a whole have been deeply impacted by this tragedy.
“While I and my prosecutors, Assistant State Attorney Laura Adams and Assistant State Attorney Jonathon Borst, may disagree with the verdict, jury’s decisions are the cornerstone of our justice system, and we accept their decision and appreciate their service.”
