A prominent Florida real estate agent has turned himself in to authorities two years after he was allegedly at the helm of a Biscayne boating accident that killed one teenager and left another disabled.
George Pino appeared in a Miami-Dade courtroom Thursday, walking hand-in-hand with his wife and daughter and dozens of relatives and friends, facing charges of felony murder in the September 2022 fatal shooting. He pleaded not guilty.
Pino, 52, appears to have admitted in newly released body camera footage that he drank “two beers” while piloting the 29-foot Robalo, which was carrying 14 passengers at the time of the crash. The charges were raised after authorities announced that.
Pino was taking his boat out for his daughter's 18th birthday when it hit a waterway marker near Boca Chita Key in the northern Florida Keys, capsizing the boat and ejecting everyone on board.
Police say Pino was speeding at about 80 mph and crashed into a channel marker on his way back to the pier, but Pino went to check on his passengers after a passing vessel caused a large wake. He claims he accidentally hit a marker after swerving.
The boat collision threw everyone overboard and left a large hole in the side of the boat.
Officials said 11 people were injured, including Lucy Fernandez, 17, who died, and soccer player Caterina Puig, 18, who suffered a traumatic brain injury.
Pino was initially charged with three misdemeanors, but the charges were dropped on October 31st after additional witnesses appeared in court supporting the felony charges.
If convicted, Pino faces a minimum of 15 years and a maximum of 30 years in prison.
Officials at the scene did not administer a breathalyzer test to Pino.
A total of 61 empty alcohol bottles, including empty champagne bottles, were found on board. According to the Miami Herald.
Mr. Pino is next scheduled to appear in court in January.
