CLEARWATER, Fla. — Officials are investigating a deadly accident involving a boat and a Clearwater Ferry that occurred on April 27.
The accident happened at 8:43 p.m. near the Memorial Causeway Bridge. A 37-foot center console boat struck the ferry, which was carrying 45 people, including two crew members. Multiple passengers sustained injuries in the impact and required treatment at local hospitals.
Jose Castro, 41, was aboard the ferry when the accident occurred. He died from his injuries. Emergency responders declared the event a mass casualty incident due to the number of injured passengers.
The boat’s operator, a 62-year-old man from Clearwater, left the scene and was later located at the Belleair boat ramp. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is leading the ongoing investigation and working to determine whether charges will be filed.
Jose Castro tragically killed in Clearwater boating accident
Incident Location
FATAL BOATING ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION
Candice Bond, an experienced boating accident attorney, said in cases such as this it’s imperative to have an independent probe conducted by a seasoned lawyer to preserve evidence better.
“An attorney can collect the proper evidence to help prove negligence, which requires various resources,” said Bond, Managing Partner of Bond Legal.
“In addition to the diligent work of law enforcement, an attorney can re-interview important witnesses, analyze evidence from the scene, and obtain records of a potentially liable party.
Serving as an advocate, an attorney can help compassionately guide a family during this difficult time, protecting their rights, while ensuring that a driver who does not obey traffic laws is held accountable.”
WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM
Pending the investigation, the family of Jose Castro may be entitled to a wrongful death claim. Family members of wrongful death victims may seek damages for loss of companionship, pain and suffering, and emotional distress following a tragic or catastrophic accident such as this.
“The stress and sorrow can be extremely overwhelming after losing a loved one in an accident,” said Stefano Formica, of Counsel at Bond Legal.
“We understand just what families are forced to go through, and having their rights protected is vital. A wrongful death lawyer will stay updated on the official investigation and help ensure that their legal rights and best interests are protected.”
If you or a family member have been involved in a situation similar to this article and would like to speak to our national legal analyst Candice Bond free of charge, please use the contact information found on this page
(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Accident Injury News can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-986-7738 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).
