Clearwater Ferry Crash: New Details Emerge from Search Warrant

Collision Details and Initial Claims

• 💥 A power boat operated by Jeffrey Knight collided with the Clearwater Ferry on April 27th, resulting in one fatality and multiple injuries.
• 🚢 Captain Kevin Cabrera Hernandez of Captain Memo's pirate cruise captured video of the crash, noting the ferry's roof had collapsed and lights were gone.
• 🚨 Hernandez heard screaming, saw people putting on life jackets, and made a Mayday call to the Coast Guard.

Investigation Findings Contradict Knight's Claims

• 🤥 Knight initially claimed he fled the scene because his boat was taking on water and an infant was aboard.
• 💧 However, the FWC's investigation, detailed in a search warrant, found that no water entered Knight's vessel.
• 👶 Knight also did not call EMS to check on the infant, according to the warrant.

Passenger Accounts and Knight's Actions

• 📞 A passenger, Alexis Ringle, called 911, but Knight reportedly told her to hang up.
• 💡 Ringle told dispatchers the crash occurred because Knight's boat had no lights on.
• 🗣️ Another passenger, Blair Jenkins, reported hearing Knight say, "My life is over and I'm going to lose everything."
• 🚫 Knight did not attempt to flag down passing deputies despite their activated lights and sirens.

Legal Ramifications and Victim Impact

• ⚖️ The search warrant indicates Knight was in violation of Florida law based on the evidence.
• ⚠️ No charges have been filed against Knight as of this report; the FWC is the lead investigating agency.
• 💔 The ferry carried 45 people; 10 were injured, and Jose Castro, 41, was killed. Injuries included broken bones, head trauma, and internal bleeding.