Driver arrested as NYC boat explosion forces 22 passengers to swim for their lives
Boat Captain Arrested for DWI After 35-Foot Boat Explodes off Bronx Shoreline
The captain of a 35-foot boat that caught fire off the Bronx shoreline on Saturday night, injuring 23 passengers, has been arrested for driving while intoxicated, according to police reports.
Joshua Brito, 33, is facing charges of DWI and reckless endangerment in connection with the incident that occurred near Hart Island around 9 p.m., as confirmed by a spokesperson for the NYPD on Sunday.
Following the boat explosion, passengers were forced to flee into the water to escape the flames, with most individuals making their way to the nearby 131-acre island, as per law enforcement sources.
Of the 23 individuals on board, 22 sustained minor injuries, while one person suffered more serious injuries and is currently in stable condition.
The US Coast Guard played a crucial role in rescuing the stranded passengers and safely transporting them to City Island.
Brito is set to appear for arraignment in Bronx Criminal Court on Sunday.
