Jury watches heartbreaking video of teen dancing with friends moment before boat crashes, kills her

The trial of Florida real estate developer George Pino, 54, took a heart-wrenching turn as the jury was shown a video of 17-year-old boat crash victim Lucy Fernandez singing and dancing with friends just moments before the tragic incident. Pino was hosting several teenage girls on his 29-foot boat for his daughter’s 18th birthday when the boat crashed into a channel marker in Biscayne Bay on September 4, 2022.

According to prosecutors, Pino was driving the boat at 47 miles per hour, with the teenagers on board consuming alcohol, when the crash occurred. The impact of the crash caused a large hole in the boat, throwing all passengers into the water. Eleven people were injured, with six taken to the hospital. Tragically, Lucy Fernandez later succumbed to her injuries in the hospital.

Prosecutor Laura Adams argued that Pino’s reckless behavior was responsible for Fernandez’s death. She showed the jury a photo of Fernandez in a hospital bed, emphasizing the consequences of Pino’s actions. Adams pointed directly at Pino in the courtroom, holding him accountable for the tragedy that unfolded that day.

Pino, a father and prominent real estate broker, is facing second-degree manslaughter and vessel homicide charges for his role in the boat crash that claimed Fernandez’s life and left another teenager, Katerina Puig, with permanent injuries. Throughout the closing arguments, Pino remained stoic, murmuring to himself and taking notes as the prosecution laid out their case against him.

The trial has shed light on the devastating impact of reckless behavior on the water and serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of responsible boating practices. As the case unfolds, the community awaits justice for Lucy Fernandez and accountability for those involved in the tragic accident.