What the families of Pino boat crash victims say about jury’s not-guilty verdict
The families of Luciana “Lucy” Fernandez and Katerina “Katy” Puig, the two victims of a Sept. 4, 2022, boat crash that killed Lucy and left Katy with a lifetime of serious medical hurdles, have released statements reacting to Monday’s not-guilty verdict for the vessel’s operator, Doral real estate broker George Pino.
A six-member jury on Monday night found Pino not guilty of felony vessel homicide and manslaughter charges.
Lucy’s parents, Melissa and Andres Fernandez, thanked prosecutors in their statement but also blasted what they say was a “lack of accountability and the blatant efforts to hide the truth” throughout the investigation into the crash.
They also noted that their daughter’s death resulted in the creation of the Lucy Fernandez Foundation, a nonprofit set up in her name to promote boating safety in the wake of the tragedy. The statement focuses on the short life of their daughter, who was 17 when she died the day after Pino crashed his boat into a steel Biscayne Bay channel marker.
Through the efforts of the foundation, the Florida Legislature passed a law in 2025 that toughens penalties for boating crashes that end in serious injury, for providing misleading statements to law enforcement during a boat-crash investigation, and boating under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
“This tragedy serves as a powerful reminder that no family should have to bury a child because of someone’s thoughtless and irresponsible choices,” the Fernandezes said.
The Puigs also made clear their disappointment from the beginning of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s criminal investigation into the Labor Day weekend crash, which they feel made prosecuting the case difficult because jurors were not permitted to know all the facts about the case and the subsequent probe.
Since the case against Pino was for Lucy’s death and not Katy’s catastrophic injuries, for instance, the jury was not allowed to hear the extent of Katy’s physical and neurological challenges.
The Division I soccer prospect, now 21, still uses a wheelchair to get around and continues to relearn basic motor skills because of the injuries she sustained in the crash.
Pino’s attorneys released a statement after the verdict saying in part “that the events of September 4, 2022, were a tragic accident, not a crime.”
Statement from the parents of Lucy Fernandez
“We want to thank ASA Laura Adams, Jonathan Borst, and the entire team at the State Attorney’s Office for their countless hours and tireless pursuit of justice in bringing the proper charges for what happened on that tragic day.
“While we do not agree with the verdict, we respect the judicial process and the role of the jury.
“This case was always bigger than George Pino.
“It is about our daughter, Lucy, and a family who loved her and refused to stop fighting for her. Her story has already changed the landscape of boating in Florida, including how we think about safety on the water and how reckless behavior is addressed and enforced. Speed, alcohol, inattention, and disregard for the rules meant to keep everyone safe are among the most dangerous and deadly choices anyone can make on the water.
“The lack of accountability and the blatant efforts to hide the truth do not lessen that loss. They deepen it.
“We remain steadfast in our fight for responsibility, for tougher laws, and for stronger enforcement, in the hope of saving lives.
“Regardless of the outcome of this case, we hope no one walks away believing that the circumstances that led to Lucy’s death were acceptable. This tragedy serves as a powerful reminder that no family should have to bury a child because of someone’s thoughtless and irresponsible choices.
“Lucy’s and Katy’s lives matter. They will go on mattering long after this verdict is forgotten.”
The Puig family statement
“The Puig family is deeply disappointed by today’s verdict, and our hearts hurt for the Fernandez and Perez families, who continue to live every day with the unimaginable loss of Lucy.
“For nearly four years, our family has lived with the consequences of that tragic day. We see Katy’s injuries every day. We see the challenges she continues to face, the strength she demonstrates in overcoming them, and the impact this tragedy has had on her life and the lives of those who love her. No verdict can change those realities.
“We have long believed that this case was compromised from the very beginning by critical investigative failures on the day of the accident. George Pino was not administered a sobriety test, nor was a blood sample obtained. As a result, evidence that should have been available in a fatal boating accident investigation was lost forever. That failure deprived the prosecutors, the jury, and ultimately the public of information that may have helped provide a more complete picture of what occurred.
“We are grateful to the prosecutors for their dedication, professionalism, and tireless efforts. They did an outstanding job with the facts and evidence they were given, and they pursued this case with integrity and compassion for the victims and their families. While we respect our system of justice and the role of the jury, we profoundly disagree with the verdict.
“Based on the evidence presented, we believe George Pino should have been held accountable for the reckless operation of his vessel. We also believe that many people who are unfamiliar with boating may not fully appreciate the dangers associated with excessive speed on the water or the importance of adhering to established navigational rules that exist to protect lives and prevent exactly this type of tragedy.
“The criminal case may now be over, but its consequences are not. Lucy is still gone. Katy’s injuries remain. Two families continue to carry burdens that neither asked for nor deserved. Today, we remember Lucy. We continue to support Katy in her recovery. We pray for both families and for all those whose lives were forever changed on September 4, 2022. And while we are disappointed by today’s outcome, we remain steadfast in our belief that the truth of what happened that day has not changed.”
This story was originally published June 23, 2026 at 10:49 AM.
