It happened in a flash. One second, the Clearwater Ferry was humming along the Intracoastal Waterway near the Memorial Causeway bridge; the next, a 37-foot powerboat came screaming out of the dark, slamming into the ferry’s stern.
That Sunday night in April 2025 changed everything for dozens of people. It wasn't just a fender bender on the water. It was a disaster that left one man dead, 10 people injured, and a prominent St. Petersburg businessman at the center of a massive legal firestorm.
The Night Everything Broke
The ferry was packed. About 45 passengers and crew were on board, many heading home after the final day of the Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival. Then, at roughly 8:40 p.m., the impact hit.
The chaos was instant.
911 dispatchers later described hearing "horrific screaming" in the background of the initial calls. First responders actually had to jump into the water themselves just to start pulling people out. Among the wreckage, 41-year-old Jose Castro of Palm Harbor lost his life. He was a father. He was just trying to enjoy a night out with his family.
Why Jeffrey Knight Left the Scene
The biggest question most people have about the Jeffrey Knight boat accident is why he didn't stay. If you ask the police, he fled. If you ask his lawyer, J. Kevin Hayslett, he was a hero who stayed as long as he could.
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The truth? It’s complicated.
Knight, the owner of Jannus Live and several other St. Pete staples, did stay for about 11 minutes. He even tied his boat to the ferry to try and help stabilize things. But then, he untied and took off toward a boat ramp about three and a half miles away.
His excuse? He claimed his boat was taking on water and he had an infant on board. He said he was worried the vessel would sink with everyone on it.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) didn't buy it. After they reconstructed the accident and did a forensic analysis, investigators stated they found no evidence of water intrusion. They even test-drove the boat. Their conclusion was blunt: the boat was fine.
The Lighting Controversy
This is where the case gets messy. Knight’s defense team isn't just playing defense; they’re going on the offensive.
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Hayslett has compared the ferry to a "school bus driving at night with no tail lights." He claims the ferry’s stern light wasn't working. Basically, his argument is that Knight couldn't see the boat he hit until it was too late.
Interestingly, the FWC actually charged the ferry captain, Dennis Kimerer, with a navigation rule violation for that exact reason. But does a missing light excuse a high-speed collision? That’s what a jury will have to decide in October 2026.
Criminal Charges and the Trail Ahead
Knight isn't facing a slap on the wrist. He’s looking at eight felony counts of leaving the scene of an accident involving death or serious injury. Each of those counts carries up to five years. Do the math—that’s a potential 40-year sentence if things go sideways for him at trial.
Beyond the felonies, there are the misdemeanors:
- Failure to maintain a safe speed.
- Failure to maintain a proper lookout.
He passed a sobriety test that night, so alcohol isn't the issue. The issue is his "demeanor" and the decision to pull away while people were still in the water.
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What This Means for Boaters
The Jeffrey Knight boat accident is a massive wake-up call for anyone who hits the water in Florida. It highlights the "Good Samaritan" expectations versus the strict legal requirements of staying on-site.
Honestly, the biggest takeaway here is about visibility and speed. The Intracoastal doesn't always have speed limits, but "safe operation" is a legal requirement that gets very technical once a tragedy occurs.
Steps to Take Following a Maritime Incident:
If you ever find yourself in a collision on the water, you've got to follow a specific protocol to avoid the legal nightmare Knight is currently in.
- Stop immediately. Even if you think your boat is sinking, you must communicate clearly with authorities before moving.
- Use your radio, not just your cell. Channel 16 is monitored by the Coast Guard and provides a recorded record of your distress and intent.
- Document the lighting. If you believe another vessel is "running dark," take photos or video immediately. In the Knight case, the lack of a stern light became a central pillar of the defense, but it’s often hard to prove months later.
- Stay put until released. Unless there is an immediate threat of explosion or the vessel is actively underwater, leaving "to go to a ramp" is almost always interpreted as fleeing by the FWC.
The trial is set for October 5, 2026. Until then, the local boating community is left debating whether this was a tragic equipment failure on the ferry's part or a case of a powerful businessman trying to dodge responsibility.