‘People want answers': Attorney for family in Clearwater ferry crash voices concern
CLEARWATER, Fla. (WFLA) — An attorney representing several victims in the deadly Clearwater ferry crash is weighing in on the case.
A recreational boat, driven by Jeff Knight, slammed into the back of the Clearwater Ferry near the Memorial Causeway Bridge on April 27, killing José Castro and injuring 10 others.
No charges have been filed in connection with the ferry crash.
Jeff Knight, the owner of Jannus Live, stepped down from the management team.
'From the sworn witness statements already in your possession, as well as from the video evidence, there is consistent and credible evidence that no stern light was visible at the time of the incident,' attorney J. Kevin Hayslett wrote in the letter to investigators.
Meanwhile, an attorney representing six survivors is sharing a different perspective in the case.
'It's not just who did or didn't have lights on,' said attorney Stephen Barnes. 'My understanding is that Mr. Knight's vessel was overtaking the ferry, and there's a very specific rule of the road that says if you're overtaking another vessel, you have to give right of away. He had responsibilities irrespective of whose lights were or weren't on.'
Last week, passengers onboard the private boat that slammed into the ferry wrote sworn letters to investigators detailing what they experienced that night.
Three women described what led up to the crash and its aftermath in their written statements. The women reported having alcoholic drinks at dinner before getting on the boat, but said Jeff did not have any. They insisted no one used drugs before or after dinner.
One woman described the area as being 'really dark' and the crash as 'out of nowhere.'
However, Barnes says there are additional factors to consider.
'There's responsibilities and rules to keep an adequate lookout,' said Barnes. 'If you are a captain navigating, and especially at night, you may need assistance on that boat to see what's ahead of you or around you, so that you can take proper action to avoid things like this.'The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is asking anyone with video footage from the area of the fatal ferry crash to contact the Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-3922.
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