A devastating boating accident in Clearwater, Florida, left one man dead and 12 others injured, casting a shadow over the Sugar Sand Festival's final days. On April 27, a 37-foot recreational boat slammed into the Clearwater Ferry, carrying 45 passengers. Now, authorities are unraveling the details, focusing on the boat's operator, Jeffry Knight, a prominent local businessman with a controversial past, as the Daily Mail reported.
The crash occurred at 8:40 p.m. near the Memorial Causeway Bridge, as the ferry returned from Clearwater Beach. Video released by Clearwater Police shows Knight's boat ramming the ferry from behind, causing it to run aground on a sandbar.
Consequently, the Clearwater Fire Department declared a "mass casualty event" due to the severity of injuries, including broken bones and head trauma. For instance, one passenger, a pregnant woman, feared for her unborn child after the impact.
Jose Castro, 41, of Palm Harbor, died in the collision. Meanwhile, 10 adults were hospitalized, with six declared trauma alerts. First responders, including the Coast Guard and Clearwater Police, worked frantically to rescue passengers. "Horrific screaming" filled 911 calls, Police Chief Eric Gandy reported.
Knight's Side of the Story
Jeffry Knight, 62, operated the 37-foot boat, which carried six passengers. Initially, police said the vessel fled, later located 3.5 miles away at the Belleair boat ramp. However, Knight's attorney, J. Kevin Hayslett, disputes this. In a letter to investigators, Hayslett claimed Knight stayed on scene, tying his boat to the ferry to stabilize it. Additionally, Knight directed a passenger to call 911, remaining on the line for 12 minutes. He offered to transport victims to Morton Plant Hospital, but the ferry captain declined.
Knight left only when his boat took on water, risking sinking with an 8-week-old infant aboard, the letter states. Furthermore, a Breathalyzer test showed no alcohol in his system. Hayslett also alleged the ferry lacked proper lighting, contributing to the crash. As of May 1, no charges have been filed, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) continues its investigation.
A Troubled History
Knight, owner of Jannus Live and other St. Petersburg businesses, is no stranger to controversy. For example, Pinellas County court records show two DUIs (2002, 2012) and a reckless driving conviction (2007). In 2017, he pleaded no contest to careless operation of a vessel. Moreover, in 2012, a wrongful death lawsuit followed a friend's fatal fall from Knight's yacht, though the outcome is unclear. Currently, Knight faces a civil suit alleging sexual assault of a female Jannus Live employee in 2023.
On April 30, Knight stepped down from Jannus Live, citing respect for the victims. "This ensures the venue's focus remains on artists and staff," the venue's statement read. Nevertheless, public sentiment on X reflects anger, with users questioning why no charges have been filed.
The tragedy has shaken Clearwater. Castro's family, mourning the loss of a devoted father, demands justice. A GoFundMe supports their travel from Peru for his funeral. Meanwhile, the FWC and Coast Guard are probing the crash's cause, including navigation and lighting issues. "Our waters should be safe," one X user posted, echoing community frustration.
As the investigation unfolds, Clearwater grapples with grief and questions. Knight's past and the crash's impact loom large, leaving residents hopeful for accountability and healing.
