A Bronx man faces serious charges after a boat he was piloting, allegedly while intoxicated, exploded on the Long Island Sound, injuring two. In a recent arraignment, 33-year-old Joshua Brito was indicted on multiple counts, including first-degree assault, vehicular assault, and operating a vessel under the influence. The incident, occurring off the coast of City Island, forced 22 passengers into a dangerous plunge into the water.
On June 7, as reported by the Bronx District Attorney's office, the charter boat caught fire and exploded, amid a family celebration onboard. According to the investigation, Brito, who lacked a captain's license, was seen drinking alcohol throughout the trip. In the aftermath of the explosion, which occurred between 4:00 and 8:00 p.m., two passengers were seriously hurt: a woman nearly drowned, and a man sustained extensive burns that would later need skin grafts.
District Attorney Darcel D. Clark expressed relief that no fatalities resulted from the catastrophic event, stating, "Thankfully no one was killed when the vessel burst into flames and passengers jumped into the water, but a woman nearly drowned, and a man suffered serious burns." Rescue crews were commended for their swift action in saving lives. Brito profited over $3,000 from the charter, according to the D.A.'s office.
Brito's legal repercussions extend to violations of the Navigation Law, including manning public vessels without proper licensing and reckless operation. Following the incident, Brito is due back in court on October 29, according to the same press release. The handling of the case has been credited to various members of the criminal justice system, including Assistant District Attorney Taber Lucchese and senior detective investigators, alongside the commendable efforts of the NYPD Harbor Unit and FDNY Marine Unit among others.
