The passengers of Clearwater Ferry refute statements by Jefry Knights lawyer after a crash

Clearwater, Fla. – – Lawyers who represent some of the passengers on board the Clearwater ferry at the time of a fatal boat accident, deny several claims by the lawyer for Jefry Knight, whose boat fell against the ferry.

Fatal boat crash

The background story:

Knight was the operator of the leisure boat, which fell into the Clearwater ferry near the Memorial Causeway Bridge on the night of April 27th. It left the two -time father of Palm Harbor, Jose Castro, dead and 10 more.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) said that more than 40 people were on board the Clearwater ferry and six people were on board the 37-foot leisure boat.

FWC investigators said they had spoken with a knight after the crash, and he and all passengers on the leisure boat were cooperative with the examination. Knight even carried out a voluntary alcohol test that came back with a reading of zero.

However, FWC says that a blood test was not carried out.

No charges were submitted in connection with the crash until Monday morning.

RELATED: Jannus Live owner follows after the crash of Clearwater Ferry 1 dead, 10 is injured

Contradictory statements

What you say:

Last week, lawyer J. Kevin Hayslett, who represents Knight, sent two letters to investigators and three testimony of passengers on board Knights Boot.

Hayslett said that one of the Knights 911 passengers called, while Knight tried to help the victims, and then only left the scene when his boat arrived too much water and first aiders.

Another passenger said knight screamed: “You didn't have any lights. Where were the F *** your lights?”

The other side:

Well, lawyers from Mickey Keenan, PA, a law firm that represents victims, including the family of Marcos Pacheco and Brenda Alvarez, say, Knight's version of the events does not correspond to what took place on the night of the crash.

The lawyers referred to three statements, in particular: writing:

“Knights claim 1: Allegations of” leaving the scene “are without a legal or factual basis.

Truth: Jefry Knight, left the scene of the crash, this is the only fact that is undisputed. He drove away, time, end of the story.

Ritter's claim 2: “In the moments before the collision, the captain and many passengers from dolphins were distracted in the region, which reduces navigation awareness.”

Truth: The fault of the victims for this crash is insulting and inappropriate. If it was light enough that the victims could see dolphins, why couldn't Knight see a massive ferry right in front of him? The answer: because he didn't pay attention to it.

Knights claim 3: “The Clearwater ferry did not show the necessary navigation lights at the time of the accident” … “The undisputed facts show that Mr. Knight was fully in line with the law of Florida.”

Truth: None of Mr. Knight's actions was responsible, lawful or in a solid judgment. The video of the ferry crash is not ambiguous. Knight's failure to follow the relevant nautical rules is the main cause of the collision with the ferry.

No matter what Jefry Knight says, it is clear that his actions cause this collision and the immeasurable pain and the suffering of his victims. “

What's next:

FWC still examines the crash and asks on April 27 between 8 p.m. and 8.45 p.m. based on video material from the area.

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