He's Charged with DUI After Boat Crashed and Burst into Flames. He Allegedly Said, 'I Had One Beer'
Joshua Brito, 33, was charged with three counts of operating a vessel while under the influence of alcohol or drugs
Brito allegedly admitted to driving the Carver 35 yacht and told a police captain that, 'I had one beer,' according to a criminal complaint obtained by PEOPLE
He has pleaded not guiltyThe captain of a boat that burst into flames off the coast of Hart Island in the Bronx has been charged with three counts of operating a vessel while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Nearly two dozen people were injured after the vessel caught fire on the evening of Saturday, June 7.
Officers observed Joshua Brito, 33, 'to have watery eyes and a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from his breath," according to a criminal complaint obtained by PEOPLE.
Brito admitted to driving the Carver 35 yacht and allegedly told a police captain that, 'I had one beer,' per the complaint.
He also allegedly told authorities that he 'picked up the group at World Fair.'
'I had an issue with the boat two days ago,' he allegedly said, according to the complaint. 'I disconnected the generator.'
Social media footage of the incident showed a large boat with massive pillars of black smoke billowing off of it as it floated in the Long Island Sound.
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The NYPD's Harbor Unit, Aviation and Drone Team rushed to the scene, along with the New York Fire Department (FDNY) and EMS.
The yacht caught fire sometime after 8 p.m. local time.
Three people were pulled out of the water and nineteen others were able to swim to Hart Island, according to the FDNY, ABC 7 reported.
It is not immediately clear what caused the incident.
According to police, Brito's blood alcohol content was .05 when a chemical test analysis was administered at Jacobi Hospital around 10 p.m., per the complaint.
Brito was arraigned and released Monday, June 9. He entered a not guilty plea.
Another court date is scheduled for July 22.
His attorney could not be reached for comment.
Read the original article on People
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