NBC6
A well-known Florida real estate broker surrendered to authorities two years after he was allegedly at the helm of a boat crash in Biscayne that killed one teen and left another permanently disabled.
George Pino appeared in a Miami-Dade Court Thursday, walking hand in hand with his wife and daughter and with dozens of relatives and friends in the courtroom, pleaded not guilty to a felony homicide charge in the fatal September 2022 incident.
Pino, 52, was hit with the upgraded charge after authorities said newly released bodycam footage apparently showed him admitting he had “two beers” while operating the 29-foot Robalo, which had 14 passengers aboard at the time of the crash.
Pino had taken the boat out for his daughter’s 18th birthday when he struck a channel marker near Boca Chita Key in the upper Florida Keys, causing the vessel to overturn and sending all the passengers overboard.
Cops contend Pino was speeding at around 50 miles per hour and hit the channel marker as he headed back to the dock — while Pino maintained he struck the marker accidentally after turning to check on his passengers after a passing vessel created a big wake.
The boat crash hurtled everyone overboard while tearing a large hole in the side of the boat.
In all, 11 were hurt, while Lucy Fernandez, 17, was killed and soccer star Katerina Puig, 18, was left with a traumatic brain injury, authorities said.
Pino was originally hit with three misdemeanors, but the charges were dropped Oct. 31 in favor of the felony charge, which was brought about after additional witnesses came forward.
Pino faces a minimum sentence of 15 years and a maximum of 30 years in prison if convicted.
Authorities at the scene did not give Pino a sobriety test.
A total of 61 empty alcohol bottles – including an empty bottle of champagne — were found on the vessel, according to the Miami Herald.
Pino is next due in court in January.