A Clearwater Ferry Crash: The Jeff Knight Story
Okay, so you’ve probably heard about the boat crash involving the Clearwater Ferry and a private boat owned by Jeff Knight, that local businessman? It’s a real mess, and honestly, who saw that coming? One person died, Jose Castro, and about ten others were injured – several seriously. It all went down Sunday night near the Memorial Causeway bridge, and it’s sparked a huge debate.
The Night of the Crash
The collision happened around 8:40 p.m. Video footage shows Knight’s boat hitting the ferry from behind. The impact looked brutal. I mean, one minute there's a ferry crossing the water, the next… chaos. It’s pretty jarring to watch. A witness told me it was like watching a slow-motion trainwreck.
Knight’s lawyer says a passenger immediately called 911 and stayed on the line for almost twelve minutes. Knight supposedly tried to help the injured people, even tying his boat to the ferry to keep it steady and guide it closer to shore. Sounds pretty heroic, right? But then...
The Questionable Departure
The defense claims Knight left because his boat was taking on water and he feared it might sink, with a baby on board! They insist he waited for first responders before leaving. But, that's where things get tricky. Video shows his boat leaving the scene. The lawyer claims the video might have been enhanced, making things look worse than they were, due to the lighting conditions.
This all sounds incredibly confusing, doesn't it? You have competing narratives and the video evidence isn't exactly clear-cut. It's certainly making things tough for everyone involved.
Jeff Knight: The Backstory
Jeff Knight owns several businesses in St. Petersburg, including the Jannus Live music venue. Turns out, he has a bit of a history with the law, mostly involving past DUI charges. His lawyer stresses that those past incidents are irrelevant to this case, but it's certainly adding fuel to the fire. The public is pretty divided on this one.
His lawyer claims the ferry’s lights might not have been bright enough, and suggests that dolphins in the area distracted both the crew and passengers. They're asking to see the full, unedited video footage, which honestly, sounds like a reasonable request. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the Coast Guard are investigating if Knight's departure was a hit-and-run.
Remembering Jose Castro
Sadly, Jose Castro lost his life. His family describes him as a loving father and a dedicated postal worker. They’re understandably devastated and want justice for their loss. They've started a GoFundMe page to cover funeral costs and help support his two young daughters.
What Happens Now?
This investigation is going to take time. The FWC needs to determine if what Knight did actually counts as leaving the scene of an accident. The whole situation is tragic, and it will no doubt have a significant impact on boating regulations and safety. This whole thing highlights just how quickly things can go wrong on the water. It's a reminder to everyone about the importance of safe boating practices and the potential consequences when things go wrong.
This story is developing, and we’ll update you as we learn more.
