Boat strikes and kills man spearfishing off the Florida Keys, police say
A man was struck and killed by a boat while spearfishing off the Florida Keys on Friday afternoon, and police say the vessel driver did not stop.
The incident happened around 1:15 p.m. off mile marker 39 near Big Pine Key, according to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. Police have not released the name of the man who died.
Although the operator of the 32-foot Contender center console kept going after striking the man, it was not immediately known if he knew he hit someone.
The sheriff’s office announced around 7 p.m. that the twin-engine vessel had been found.
Capt. David Dipre, with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, which investigates water fatalities, told the Miami Herald that the boat operator had also been found. Dipre said, however, “further investigation is necessary” to determine if the operator will be arrested.
The FWC asks anyone with information on the incident to call 561-357-4200.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
This story was originally published July 5, 2024 at 4:27 PM.
