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South Florida real estate broker, George Pino, is set to appear in court nearly three years after a boating accident resulted in the death of 17-year-old Luciana Fernandez. The incident occurred on Labor Day weekend in 2022 when the boat Pino was operating collided with a channel marker, ejecting all 12 passengers, including Pino and his wife. A classmate of Lucy's, Katerina Puig, suffered permanent disability.
Pino took a group of teenagers out to Biscayne Bay to celebrate his daughter's birthday. An investigation revealed over 60 cans and bottles of alcoholic beverages on the boat, but Pino claimed he was not impaired at the time of the crash. He told officers he attempted to avoid the wake of a larger boat.
Since the tragedy, Lucy's parents have been advocating for stricter boating regulations. "Lucy's Law" aims to increase penalties for reckless boating and require safety training and licenses for all boaters. It also mandates blood tests without probable cause in specified cases.
Pino has pleaded not guilty to felony homicide charges. His trial is scheduled for July, but it remains unclear if he will attend the upcoming status hearing or be represented by his attorneys only.
