Attorney for Clearwater Ferry crash survivors says blame appears to have shifted

CLEARWATER, Fla. (WFLA) — An legal professional representing two survivors within the lethal Clearwater Ferry crash is weighing in on the case.

A leisure boat, pushed by Jeff Knight, slammed into the again of the Clearwater Ferry close to the Memorial Causeway Bridge on April 27, killing José Castro and injuring 10 others.

Several victims in Clearwater Ferry crash hire Morgan & Morgan to ‘uncover any negligence’

No expenses have been filed in reference to the ferry crash.

“From the sworn witness statements already in your possession, in addition to from the video proof, there’s constant and credible proof that no stern mild was seen on the time of the incident,” Knight’s legal professional J. Kevin Hayslett wrote in a letter to investigators.

In the meantime, an legal professional representing two survivors spoke to Information Channel 8 concerning the case.

“They’re a household who was on this cruise simply out to benefit from the group on the gorgeous bay and went by way of a horrible expertise,” mentioned legal professional Mickey Keenan. “The factor that got here out that actually incited my shoppers was that the blame gave the impression to be shifted.”

Final week, passengers onboard the non-public boat that slammed into the ferry wrote sworn letters to investigators detailing what they skilled that evening.

Three girls described what led as much as the crash and its aftermath of their written statements. The ladies reported having alcoholic drinks at dinner earlier than getting on the boat, however mentioned Knight didn’t have any. They insisted nobody used medicine earlier than or after dinner.

One lady described the world as being “actually darkish” and the crash as “out of nowhere.”

Nonetheless, Keenan mentioned there are further elements to contemplate.

“There’s many elements that go into the crash and we’ll wait till the investigation is accomplished to allow them to make their willpower on that,” Keenan mentioned.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is asking anybody with video footage from the world of the deadly ferry crash to contact the Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-3922.

Ferry Captain Dennis Kimerer offered the next assertion:

“I take into account myself lucky to be alive and deeply grateful to the heroic passengers, first
responders, good Samaritans, and medical professionals whose fast actions saved lives throughout and after the collision.

My ideas are with all those that had been injured—and particularly with the household mourning the lack of a beloved father. Out of respect for them and everybody affected, I can’t be partaking in a public back-and-forth relating to the causes of this tragedy. I belief the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Fee (FWC) and different authorities to conduct a radical and neutral investigation, and I’ll proceed to cooperate totally with them.”

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