A well-known real estate developer in Florida, George Pino, recently turned himself in to the police concerning a homicide charge linked to a tragic boating accident that occurred two years ago. The incident, which took place on September 4, 2022, involved Pino’s boat crashing into a channel marker near Boca Chita Key, resulting in the death of 17-year-old Luciana Fernandez. In addition, two other teenagers were seriously injured in the crash.
Pino, 54, reported to a Miami-Dade court last week, where he encountered a crowd of family and friends. He entered a plea of not guilty to the charges against him. Pino’s attorney expressed surprise at the state’s decision to file the felony charge more than two years after the incident occurred, noting that this long delay raises concerns about the motivations behind the charges.
The crash unfolded while Pino was operating a 29-foot vessel, celebrating his daughter’s birthday with his wife and a group of minors on board. Following the crash, Pino declined to participate in a blood-alcohol test and requested legal representation, as reported by officials from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. An investigation last year concluded that Pino was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the accident.
However, some family members of the deceased have expressed dissatisfaction with the investigation’s findings, feeling it undermined the severity of the tragedy. They have voiced their frustration at the inconsistencies present in the official reports stemming from the Florida commission’s inquiry.
Last week, a judge mandated that Pino be processed into jail on a charge of vessel homicide due to reckless operation. He was later released as indicated in the court records. Pino’s attorney argues that all necessary safety measures were adhered to during the boating trip, maintaining that Pino acted heroically to assist those who were injured, even after sustaining injuries himself.
The case facing Pino has taken a new turn with the emergence of new witness statements leading to the recent homicide charge. Prosecutors have been prompted to reassess their earlier conclusions about the accident based on fresh testimonies, including from a firefighter who responded to the scene.
Pino’s attorney hopes that this charge will be dropped soon, emphasizing that the incident was a tragic accident rather than a criminal act. The next hearing for Pino is set for January 8, 2025, as the legal proceedings continue to unfold in this heartbreaking case.
