Boater in Clearwater Ferry crash did not contest, say lawyers say, say lawyers

Lawyers for the driver of the boat who met a Clearwater ferry say that he had not contested a hit-and-run and the ferry was not sufficiently illuminated at the time of the crash.

In a letter to the investigators late Tuesday, Kevin Hayslett, who represents local businessman Jeff Knight, put the most detailed report on Knight's version of events after the collision that had killed a person and injured about 10 more on Sunday evening. Under the claims of the letter:

• Knight had someone on board 911 after the crash and he stayed on site and offered help until the first aiders arrived.
• Knight left the scene because his boat accepted water and he feared that it could sink.
• The ferry was not properly illuminated and the crew and the passengers were distracted shortly before the crash of dolphins.

The ferry had 45 people, including two crew members, from Clearwater Beach by Clearwater Beach, when the collision was first reported at 8:43 p.m. with a time-stamped video that was recorded by a city web camera in Coachman Park. The boat, which crashes into the back of the ferry at 8.40 p.m., at 8:40 p.m. and stayed in the area when the Ferry drifts.

About 10 minutes later, it started slowly from the scene.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1xzxllplnk

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission that examines the collision said that the 62 -year -old Knight was cooperative and voluntarily carried out an alcohol test test on Sunday evening that did not register alcohol in his system. He is not charged with a crime.

Hayslett's letter says that Knight was starting a passenger on his boat immediately after the crash to call 911, and that the passenger stayed on the line for almost 12 minutes with a call representative.

“During this time, the caller passed on updates and emergency instructions, e.g.” Mr. Knight tied his ship to the ferry to stabilize it and provide help. He used his boat to maneuver the ferry closer to the coast so that first aiders have easier access. “

While Knight was still on site, he noticed that his boat had “activated a large amount of water and all of his bilge pumps,” the letter said. In addition, the mother of an 8 -week -old child on board “asked for an immediate transport after the crash” because she feared that the child could possibly have been injured.

“In view of the circumstances, including the ship, the water depth and the compromised state of Mr. Knights Boot, he found that returning to the dock was the best procedure as soon as possible,” the letter said. “Again it is important to note that he has waited until the emergency staff arrived on site before he left.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bd0cbcju2e

When Knight tried to navigate to the bank, the letter was stopped by the law enforcement authorities, who carried out a visual inspection of his boat and found that he was able to pass on the Bellair boat ramp. Knight was “dragged onto the boat ramp when her insistence on the child met a medical assessment.”

The letter also says that there is “credible concern” that the ferry does not show the necessary navigation lights at the time of the crash.

“Several witnesses have reported that the ferry seemed to be insufficiently illuminated, and that in the moments before the collision of the captain and many passengers were distracted by dolphins in the region, which reduces the awareness of navigation,” the letter said. “It seems that shortly before the accident someone in the ferry in the canal had moved into the spotlight, which would confirm the reports that he looked at dolphins.”

The letter claims that widespread film material of the crash “was artificially lightened by improvement filters at night, which may be misleading of visibility”. The letter asks for “unprocessed, raw film material to precisely evaluate the lighting conditions at the time of the incident”.

Knight, who owns Jannus's concert site in downtown St. Petersburg, has a story of run-ins with the law. He was arrested three times for impairment, while the records were charged according to records. He did not play every time and received probation and fines.

In 2012, Knight was in his yacht, Pure Knight Life, in the waters in front of the Renaissance Vinoy resort with a group of friends after a party night, the police said when one of them fell off the boat. The man hit his head down and drowned. The medical examiner's office found that the man had alcohol and cocaine in his system.

Times Staff Writer Jack Prator contributed to this report.