Photo: (MDCR/WPLG)
An Atlanta man is facing three felony charges in South Florida after state wildlife officers said he was responsible for a hit-and-run boat crash over the weekend off Bay Harbor Islands that injured multiple people.
Investigators with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said the crash happened at around 1:15 a.m. Saturday in the Intracoastal Waterway, off Haulover Sandbar.
An FWC arrest report states that L, 42, was operating the 38-foot Donzi at 55 mph in a 30 mph zone when he hit a 20-foot Angler traveling the opposite direction.
Two people on that boat were seriously hurt: Investigators said a boy “sustained a hairline skull fracture” while a woman “sustained a collapsed lung, multiple fractured ribs, blood surrounding the lung and a lacerated spleen.”
Two others aboard L’s boat were hurt as well, according to FWC.
Authorities said L fled south before heading back north to anchor his boat at Haulover Sandbar, but never returned to the collision site, instead contacting a towing company.
“Evidence obtained during the investigation established that L attempted to have his vessel removed from the water before law enforcement could conduct a complete examination and process the vessel as evidence in a criminal investigation,” the FWC report states.
Investigators said L claimed his boat had been anchored the whole time, which they said was “contradicted by multiple independent witness statements, physical evidence, electronic vessel data and the overall findings of the investigation.”
Officers arrested L Sunday afternoon on charges of reckless operation of a vessel causing serious injury, leaving the scene of a boating accident causing injuries and attempted evidence tampering.
Records show he was being held in the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center on a $45,000 bond as of late Monday morning.
Hit and Run Accident Injury? We’re Here to Help
If you’ve been injured in a hit and run accident, you may feel uncertain about what to do next. Ovadia Law Group is here to help. Our personal injury attorneys are experienced in handling hit and run cases and know how to pursue compensation even when the responsible party is unknown. We work with insurance providers, gather evidence, and build a strong claim to support your recovery. Whether you’re facing medical bills, lost income, or emotional trauma, we’re committed to helping you move forward. Call 1-800-674-9396 for a free consultation and speak with a personal injury lawyer who understands the challenges of hit and run accidents.
Source: Local10
