Families of victims of a fatal 2022 boat crash in Biscayne Bay have voiced profound disappointment following the acquittal of property developer George Pino, who faced charges of second-degree manslaughter and vessel homicide.
Pino, 55, was found not guilty on Monday by a jury after a crash that killed 17-year-old Lucy Fernandez and left 17-year-old Katy Puig with permanent disabilities. The incident occurred when Pino was piloting his 29-foot boat, carrying his wife, daughter, and several of his daughter's teenage friends, and collided with a concrete channel marker.
The Puig family condemned the jury's decision, stating they live daily with the "consequences" of the crash and Katy's lifelong challenges. "No verdict can change those realities," they said in a statement to WPLG. They thanked the prosecution but alleged "critical investigative failures" in the immediate aftermath, including Pino not undergoing a sobriety test. "Based on the evidence presented, we believe George Pino should have been held accountable for the reckless operation of his vessel," the family concluded.
The Fernandez family, while respecting the judicial process, also expressed disagreement with the verdict. In a statement to the Daily Mail, they emphasized that their daughter Lucy's story has already influenced boating safety in Florida. "Her story has already changed the landscape of boating in Florida, including how we think about safety on the water and how reckless behavior is addressed and enforced," they said, vowing to continue fighting for "tougher laws" and "stronger enforcement."
The crash occurred in September 2022 as the boat was returning to the dock after a party celebrating Pino's daughter Carolina's 18th birthday. Investigators stated Pino claimed another vessel's wake caused him to turn and check on the passengers, leading to the collision. The impact ejected passengers into the water, and the vessel sustained significant damage. A medical examiner determined Lucy Fernandez died from blunt force trauma and drowning. Katy Puig sustained severe injuries.
Prosecutors argued that Pino was intoxicated, while he maintained he had consumed only a small amount of beer. The prosecution presented video footage of the passengers dancing prior to the crash to illustrate the atmosphere onboard. After hearing testimony from survivors, first responders, medical experts, and family members, the jury reached its not-guilty verdicts.
Pino's attorney, Howard Srebnick, stated that the crash was "an accident, not a crime" and that eyewitness testimony supported Pino not being impaired or speeding. "We continue to mourn the loss of Lucy Fernandez, pray for those who will forever be affected by this maritime misfortune, and hope that the verdict allows everyone to continue the long process of healing," Srebnick said.
Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle acknowledged that the verdict would bring no comfort to the victims' families. "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," she stated, noting her office had charged Pino based on sufficient evidence of reckless actions, though the jury ultimately disagreed.