A prominent Florida real estate developer has surrendered himself to authorities following his involvement in a 2022 boating accident that killed a 17-year-old girl and paralyzed another.
George Pino, a well-known real estate agent in Doral, appeared in court in Miami-Dade on Thursday for a hearing in which he turned himself into authorities.
The 54-year-old, who is currently charged with vehicular homicide for his involvement in the 2022 Biscayne boating accident, walked somberly into the courtroom, holding hands with his wife and daughter.
The horrific accident occurred two years ago over Labor Day weekend, when Pino accidentally hit a canal marker, causing the 29-foot Robalo boat to overturn and sending all 14 passengers overboard.
The fatal crash took the life of 17-year-old Luciana “Lucy” Fernandez and left Katerina Puig, who was 18 at the time, with debilitating and permanent injuries that prevented her from leading an independent life.
During the nearly 15-minute hearing, Pino appeared sad and emotional as he stood silently behind his attorney, Howard Srebnick, while nearly 75 of his family members and friends sat behind him in support.
At the end of Thursday’s hearing, the prominent developer was taken into custody by corrections officials and booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center at 12:50 p.m., according to jail records.
As the cash-strapped developer left the courtroom, his attorney thanked Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Maria Tinkler Mendez for her “sensitivity” in expediting the surrender process.
George Pino, 54, a well-known real estate agent in Doral, appeared in court in Miami-Dade on Thursday for a hearing in which he turned himself in to authorities
The 54-year-old, who is currently charged with vehicular homicide for his involvement in the 2022 Biscayne boating accident, walked somberly into the courtroom, holding hands with his wife and daughter.
The fatal crash took the life of 17-year-old Luciana ‘Lucy’ Fernandez (pictured) and left Katerina Puig, who was 18 at the time, with debilitating and permanent injuries that prevented her from leading an independent life.
Last year, Pino was charged with three felonies: one count of careless operation of a vessel in the second degree and two counts of careless operation of a vessel causing serious bodily injury.
However, these charges were dropped on October 31 in favor of the misdemeanor charge, which was filed after additional witnesses came forward, strengthening the case.
If convicted, Pino faces a minimum of 15 years in prison and a maximum of 30 years in prison.
He has denied being guilty of all charges.
After his emotional surrender, Pino’s niece, Sofia Castellanos, read a tearful statement from the family.
‘From that moment on, we are tormented by despair and sadness, living a nightmare we could never have imagined. Worse still, however, is knowing that our fear cannot compare to the pain and suffering experienced by the affected families; something we wouldn’t have wished on anyone, let alone our closest friends and family,” Castellanos read.
“If we could give up our lives to bring Lucy back or change the events of that day, we would do it in a heartbeat. Unfortunately we can’t do that. We pray for the Fernandez and Puig families every day and have used our savings and taken on significant debt to help support them.
“With my father now facing the serious criminal charges that have been filed, we can only hope that the prosecutor, and the community we love so much, will work to understand all the facts surrounding this tragic accident,” she concluded .
If convicted, Pino faces a minimum of 15 years in prison and a maximum of 30 years in prison. He has denied being guilty of all charges. Pictured: Pino’s wife, Cecilia Pino, hugs her husband before corrections staff took him for treatment
After his emotional surrender, Pino’s niece, Sofia Castellanos (pictured), read a tearful statement from the family
Pino allegedly said another boat was coming by creating a large wake and when he turned around to check if all the girls were OK, he hit the marker, causing the boat to capsize, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue said.
The devastating crash occurred on September 4, 2022, when Pino and his wife, Cecilia Pino, were hosting several teenage girls for their daughter’s 18th birthday party.
All the girls on the boat were lifelong friends of Carolina Pino and students at Carrolton School of the Sacred Heart and Our Lady of Lourdes Academy.
An investigation revealed that Pino was piloting the 29-foot vessel back to the dock when he struck a canal marker while traveling at about 50 miles per hour, near Boca Chita Key.
Pino allegedly said another boat came and created a large wake and when he turned around to check if all the girls were OK, he hit the marker, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue said.
The boat crash knocked everyone out of the boat and tore a large hole in the side of the ship, injuring eleven passengers.
Six of them were taken to hospital, where Fernandez would later die.
Pino never took a sobriety test, but when the boat was pulled from the water the day after the crash, 61 empty alcohol bottles – including an empty bottle of champagne – were found on it, according to police. Miami Herald.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Committee – which conducted a “comprehensive marine investigation” after the accident – claimed there was no probable cause to conduct the test.
An investigation revealed that Pino was piloting the 29-foot vessel back to the dock when he struck a canal marker while traveling at about 50 miles per hour, near Boca Chita Key. Pictured: Severe damage to the boat caused by the fatal crash
The boat crash knocked everyone out of the boat and tore a large hole in the side of the ship, injuring eleven passengers. Six of them were taken to hospital, where Fernandez would later die
“I am appalled by the state’s surprising decision to file these new charges more than two years later,” Srebnick (pictured) told CBS News Miami
Pino told investigators that he had drunk “two beers” and that he did not look bad at the scene.
“I am appalled by the state’s surprising decision to file this new charge, more than two years later,” Srebnick said. CBS News Miami.
‘Officers on scene determined that Pino was not intoxicated; Pino did not exceed the posted speed limit, Pino had the required number of Coast Guard-approved life preservers on board the ship, and despite suffering head injuries himself (requiring fifteen stitches), Pino made heroic efforts to save the injured passengers, including diving under the capsized boat,” he continued.
“This was an accident, not a crime, let alone a misdemeanor.”
The lawsuit over the involvement of alcohol during the festive outing came to light in March last year when the family of the now disabled teenager filed a complaint.
The claim also alleges that the 54-year-old driver had been drinking before the crash and allowed the underage teens to consume alcoholic beverages while on the boat.
Pino will appear in court again in January.