George Pino, a notable Miami real estate broker, has been instructed to surrender by November 21 following a felony vessel homicide charge connected to a 2022 boating accident that resulted in the death of a teenager and injured several others. Pino, 54, made his court appearance via Zoom today, as reported by Local 10. The accident took place on September 4, 2022, and involved a 29-foot Robalo boat crashing into a channel marker near Boca Chita Key.

Lucy Fernandez, a 17-year-old senior from Our Lady of Lourdes Academy in Miami, was killed, while Katerina Puig then 18, sustained permanent disabilities among most of the passengers thrown overboard. Initially, Pino faced misdemeanor counts but prosecutors escalated the case to felony charges after a new witness, identified as a Miami-Dade firefighter, came forward, suggesting that alcohol played a role in the crash. This revelation was detailed by Hoodline.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reported that Pino "did operate his vessel in a careless manner by violating four navigational rules," as cited by NBC Miami. The boat was traveling at high speeds of 45-47 miles per hour, which, according to the FWC, contributed to the severity of the crash. Although no signs of impairment were evident at the scene, and Pino refused blood and breathalyzer tests, 61 empty alcohol bottles and cans were discovered on the vessel.

Pino has pleaded not guilty to the charges, with his attorney, Howard Srebnick, expressing surprise at the new charge filed over two years later. Srebnick stated in a previous week's statement, "Officers on the scene of the crash determined that Pino was not intoxicated; Pino did not exceed any posted speed limit. This was an accident, not a crime, much less a felony," as noted by Local10. In May, a judge had ordered that Pino’s wife to pay $16 million to Puig's family in a lawsuit settlement.

If convicted of the felony charge, Pino could face up to 15 years in prison.