What the families of Pino boat crash victims say about jury’s not-guilty verdict

Miami-Dade County admin June 23, 2026 0 Comments

What the families of Pino boat crash victims say about jury’s not-guilty verdict

The families of Luciana “Lucy” Fernandez and Katerina “Katy” Puig, the two victims of a Sept. 4, 2022, boat crash that killed Lucy and left Katy with a lifetime of serious medical hurdles, have released statements reacting to Monday’s not-guilty verdict for the vessel’s operator, Doral real estate broker George Pino.

A six-member jury on Monday night found Pino not guilty of felony vessel homicide and manslaughter charges.

Lucy’s family members released their statement through the Lucy Fernandez Foundation, a nonprofit set up in her name to promote boating safety in the wake of the tragedy. The statement doesn’t weigh in on the outcome of the criminal case against Pino but instead focuses on the short life of their daughter, who was 17 when she died the day after Pino crashed his boat into a steel Biscayne Bay channel marker.

The Puigs, however, made clear their disappointment from the beginning of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s criminal investigation into the Labor Day weekend crash, which they feel made prosecuting the case difficult because jurors were not permitted to know all the facts about the case and the subsequent probe.

Since the case against Pino was for Lucy’s death and not Katy’s catastrophic injuries, for instance, the jury was not allowed to hear the extent of Katy’s physical and neurological challenges.

The Division I soccer prospect, now 21, still uses a wheelchair to get around and continues to relearn basic motor skills because of the injuries she sustained in the crash.

Pino’s attorneys released a statement after the verdict saying in part “that the events of September 4, 2022, were a tragic accident, not a crime.”

The Lucy Fernandez Foundation statement

“While the legal proceedings have concluded, our focus remains where it has always been: on Lucy.

“Throughout this process, Lucy was often discussed as evidence in a case. But to those who knew and loved her, she was so much more. She was a beloved daughter, sister, granddaughter, cousin and friend. She was funny, kind, full of life and had her entire future ahead of her.

“Though her life was far too short, Lucy touched countless lives and left an impact that continues to be felt by all who knew her. The loss of her life is one that her family, friends and community will carry forever, and no verdict can change that reality or lessen the love people continue to have for her.

“Throughout the court proceedings, one thing became abundantly clear: far too many people who operate boats do not fully understand the responsibilities, risks and laws associated with being on the water. That reality should concern us all.

“The mission of the Lucy Fernandez Foundation has never been about a courtroom. It’s about honoring Lucy’s life through education, awareness and advocacy, and we remain committed to promoting boating safety, encouraging responsible operation and helping people better understand the responsibilities that come with being on the water. Our goal is simple: to make Lucy’s favorite pastime safer for everyone and to help prevent other families from experiencing a similar tragedy.

“Today, we remember Lucy. We honor her life, the joy and light she brought to others and the legacy she continues to leave behind. We recommit ourselves to the work of making our waterways safer and ensuring that Lucy’s story continues to inspire positive change in our community and beyond.”

The Puig family statement

“The Puig family is deeply disappointed by today’s verdict, and our hearts hurt for the Fernandez and Perez families, who continue to live every day with the unimaginable loss of Lucy.

“For nearly four years, our family has lived with the consequences of that tragic day. We see Katy’s injuries every day. We see the challenges she continues to face, the strength she demonstrates in overcoming them, and the impact this tragedy has had on her life and the lives of those who love her. No verdict can change those realities.

“We have long believed that this case was compromised from the very beginning by critical investigative failures on the day of the accident. George Pino was not administered a sobriety test, nor was a blood sample obtained. As a result, evidence that should have been available in a fatal boating accident investigation was lost forever. That failure deprived the prosecutors, the jury, and ultimately the public of information that may have helped provide a more complete picture of what occurred.

“We are grateful to the prosecutors for their dedication, professionalism, and tireless efforts. They did an outstanding job with the facts and evidence they were given, and they pursued this case with integrity and compassion for the victims and their families. While we respect our system of justice and the role of the jury, we profoundly disagree with the verdict.

“Based on the evidence presented, we believe George Pino should have been held accountable for the reckless operation of his vessel. We also believe that many people who are unfamiliar with boating may not fully appreciate the dangers associated with excessive speed on the water or the importance of adhering to established navigational rules that exist to protect lives and prevent exactly this type of tragedy.

“The criminal case may now be over, but its consequences are not. Lucy is still gone. Katy’s injuries remain. Two families continue to carry burdens that neither asked for nor deserved. Today, we remember Lucy. We continue to support Katy in her recovery. We pray for both families and for all those whose lives were forever changed on September 4, 2022. And while we are disappointed by today’s outcome, we remain steadfast in our belief that the truth of what happened that day has not changed.”