Captain of boat that capsized near Liberty Island, killing mother and baby, appears in federal court
Federal prosecutors say the boat was overcrowded, unlicensed and missing infant life jackets, and Hernandez faces up to 10 years on each count.
- On Monday, Manuel Hernandez, 46, appeared in Manhattan federal court facing two federal charges of misconduct or neglect resulting in the deaths of Sara Sanchez, 27, and her 5-month-old daughter, Antonella Garcia, after their boat capsized near Liberty Island on Saturday.
- Prosecutors allege Hernandez piloted an illegally chartered, overcrowded boat without required merchant mariner credentials or a Coast Guard certificate of inspection, carrying 14 passengers on a vessel designed for 10 people.
- The 21-foot vessel capsized Saturday night after Hernandez made a U-turn into a swell, according to the criminal complaint; Sanchez was forced to hold her infant throughout the tour because the boat lacked infant-sized flotation devices.
- Zeus Luxury Rental Inc., which organized the tour, previously experienced a boat fire last year; meanwhile, an online campaign to support Sanchez's partner, Andres Garcia, with funeral expenses has raised over $25,000.
- Following his appearance, Hernandez was released on a $50,000 bond, while NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch stated the tragedy was preventable, alleging Hernandez showed "a complete disregard for the safety of his passengers.
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Federal charges filed after mother, infant die in NYC harbor boat tragedy
A speedboat that capsized during a nighttime tour around the Statue of Liberty, drowning a baby girl and her mother, was illegally chartered, overcrowded and operating with a slew of safety violations, federal prosecutors said Monday.The boats pilot, Manuel Hernandez, was charged with causing the deaths of 5-month old Antonella Garcia and 27-year-old Sara Sanchez through misconduct or neglect.RELATED STORY | Captain charged after boat capsizes n…
Captain of boat that capsized near Liberty Island, killing mother and baby, appears in federal court
The captain of the boat that capsized near Liberty Island Saturday, resulting in the death of a mother and her infant child, appeared in federal court Monday.
Captain of boat that capsized near Statue of Liberty charged in deaths of mother and baby
Manuel Hernandez was charged with two counts of misconduct and neglect of a ship officer resulting in death in the accident, which killed Sara Sanchez, 27, and her 5-month-old daughter, Antonella Garcia.
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