Weeks of speculation led Tampa Bay to wonder whether a prominent business owner would be charged for his role in a boating accident that left ten people injured and one man dead. Now, we have an answer.
Three months after the deadly accident, Jeff Knight was officially charged with 24 counts, including eight counts of felony leaving the scene of a boating accident involving death and or serious bodily injury.
What led to Knight being charged weeks after the accident?
A Deadly Crash in Clearwater
On the evening of April 27, 2025, the Clearwater Ferry was carrying 45 people near the Memorial Causeway in Clearwater, Florida. At the same time, Jeff Knight was driving a private 37-foot boat toward the ferry.
As Knight’s boat came upon the ferry, it did not stop. It ran into the stern of the boat, causing damage to the ferry and serious injuries to the passengers on board. At least ten people were injured, and one man, Jose Castro, was killed, as reported by the New York Post.
What happened next has been up for debate in the news and now, in the courts.
Knight says he tied his boat to the ferry and stayed on the scene to assist. He claims he was on the scene for 11 minutes before deciding to drive his boat to the shore because he was taking on water.
Others say Knight illegally fled the scene.
After Knight left, Pinellas County deputies stopped him about 3.5 miles south of the crash. They gave Knight a breathalyzer test, which showed no alcohol in his system. He was not arrested and was permitted to leave. Now, authorities are saying Knight never should have left the scene, and they have criminally charged him for his actions.
Related: How to Protect Yourself on Boats in Tampa Bay Waters
What Are the Charges Against Jeff Knight?
Roughly three months after the deadly boating accident, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) in conjunction with the Pinellas County State Attorney’s Office said that Knight was being charged for his role in the accident.
Knight was charged with 24 criminal counts that include:
- 8 counts of third-degree felony for leaving the scene of a boating accident involving death and or serious bodily injury
- 8 counts of violation of navigational rule 5 (which says every vessel must maintain a proper look-out at all times by sight and hearing)
- 8 counts of violation of navigational rule 6 (which says every vessel must proceed at a safe speed at all times)
Each count is related to a person who needed medical assistance beyond first-aid.
Related: If You’re Arrested for a Crime, Immediately Take These 6 Steps
What Evidence Led Jeff Knight to Be Criminally Charged?
Authorities say that further investigation conducted over the last three months provided evidence to charge Knight.
MSN and ABC Action News said the investigation included:
- Interviewing nearly fifty witnesses
- Reviewing multiple surveillance videos
- Reviewing 911 calls
- Creating a digital reconstruction of both vessels
- Examining both vessels
- Analyzing GPS forensic analysis
- Testing of the lights in question
Authorities believe they now have enough evidence to charge Knight with a serious felony for leaving the scene, as well as smaller misdemeanor charges for his actions that led to the accident.
Knight was charged under Florida Statute 327.30 which says, “It is unlawful for a person operating a vessel involved in an accident or injury to leave the scene of the accident or injury without giving all possible aid to all persons involved and making a reasonable effort to locate the owner or persons affected and subsequently complying with and notifying the appropriate law enforcement official as required under this section. Any person who violates this subsection with respect to an accident resulting in personal injury commits a felony of the third degree.”
The investigation also led authorities to charge the ferry boat captain, Dennis Kimmerer. He has been charged with violating a navigation rule for failing to have a working stern light at the time of the accident.
Knight Pleads Not Guilty
Knight stands by his account that he stayed long enough at the scene. He pleaded not guilty and plans to fight the charges.
His attorney, J. Kevin Hayslett said, “The claim that Jeff Knight immediately sped from the scene is false — and it’s time to correct the record… We look forward to presenting that evidence to an impartial jury of Mr. Knight’s peers — and finally setting the record straight.”
In addition to fighting the criminal charges against him, Knight is also facing a civil case. Six injured passengers have filed three lawsuits against Knight and Mad Toys III, the company that owns the 38-foot-long boat. Per reporting by ABC Action News, the plaintiffs are seeking damages in excess of $50,000.
Related: How to Choose a Personal Injury Attorney
TJ’s Take
Tampa-based defense attorney TJ Grimaldi shared his thoughts about Knight’s delayed arrest. “I am not surprised Mr. Knight was charged, but knowing Pinellas County, I am surprised it took this long to get the charges filed,” said Grimaldi.
Grimaldi suspects the case will drag on even more and turn into a lengthy legal battle.
“This will be a lengthy and difficult defense as there will be a large amount of discovery that needs to occur. Additionally, given the significant media exposure that this case has received coupled with his prior criminal history, his attorney will have a long fight ahead. That is exactly why it is important to get the right attorney on your side,” he said.
Get Legal Help In Tampa Bay
When life is at its most challenging, you need a trusted attorney by your side.
Whether you have been injured in an accident or accused of a crime, you need someone who can take all the evidence and use it to build and support your case. Don’t go into these situations alone. Make sure an expert is by your side to analyze the situation and help you get the best possible outcome. TJ Grimaldi is a Tampa Bay attorney committed to helping people during their most difficult moments. From personal injury to criminal defense cases, TJ works side-by-side with his clients to guide them through life’s challenges.
If you’re going through a legal challenge of your own, see how TJ can help. Contact us or call now to 813-226-1023 to get your free consultation.