Police Allege Keys Charter Boat Captain Was Drunk and High After Slamming Vessel into Bridge

Police arrested Florida Keys fishing boat captain Laurence Lewis, 42, of Nauti Tails Fishing Charters, in connection with a devastating boat accident back in July. Authorities report that Lewis was drunk on tequila and high on drugs when he slammed his boat into the South Pine Channel Bridge in the Lower Keys around 1:30 am on July 8^th.

Per the Miami Herald:

All eight people on board, including Lewis, were either ejected from the boat or trapped beneath pieces of the wrecked vessel, according to the Jan. 13 warrant written by FWC Investigator Joshua Peters. And, most, including Lewis, had serious injuries.

Graphic body camera footage released at the time showed firefighters lifting Lewis off the boat with his leg barely attached. The 11-year-old boy suffered a broken leg and brain bleed, according to the report. A woman passenger also broke her leg. A man on board broke his foot, another had bruised ribs, and another bruised ribs and a concussion, Peters wrote.

Peters’ report also noted, “FWC investigators also found a Costa sunglasses case with drug paraphernalia in it, including needles, a syringe, a spoon, cotton balls, and a synthetic opioid pill prescribed to people trying to kick opiate addiction.”

Passengers told authorities that Lewis had been drinking throughout the trip, and police found beer cans and a tequila bottle among the wreckage.

Local 10 further reports that blood testing taken in the hospital showed that Lewis had amphetamines and methamphetamines in his system. Investigators believe his blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was between .08 and .12 percent at the time of the crash.

The arrest warrant stated that Lewis “asked to pay a paying passenger to say he was operating the vessel due to his own belief that he was intoxicated.”

The counts against Lewis include “three counts of felony boating under the influence that caused serious bodily injury, one felony count of child neglect, a misdemeanor count of aggravated boating under the influence accompanied by a minor, misdemeanor reckless boating and possession of drug paraphernalia.”

Lewis was released from the Key West jail facility on January 15 after posting a $195,000 bond.

Who’s responsible for the crash?

In this case, the charter boat captain faces serious charges. He was reportedly drinking alcohol and using drugs while operating a boat, which is illegal.

Boat operators are also legally responsible for keeping their passengers safe. This means driving sober, obeying speed limits, and ensuring the boat is in good condition. The boat operator can be held accountable for any boat accidents and resulting injuries and damage.

The crash injured eight people, and three of them had to be flown to Miami hospitals because their injuries were so severe. The 11-year-old suffered a brain injury, which could have long-term effects.

What are the victims’ rights?

Any cases that arise from this crash are governed by maritime law. This is a specialized area of the law. When you need a lawyer for a boat crash like this, call a maritime lawyer.

The “damages” available under the maritime law include:

“Economic damages”

These are damages that involve actual monetary losses related to the accident, such as:

• Medical expenses (past and future)
• Loss of income (past)
• Loss of earning capacity (future)

“Non-economic damages”

Non-economic damages are those that are more challenging to calculate as they don’t include an actual financial loss, such as:

• Pain (past and future)
• Suffering (past and future)
• Loss of enjoyment of life (past and future)
• Mental anguish (past and future)
• Scarring and disfigurement (past and future)
• Physical impairment and disability (past and future)

According to reports, the captain was driving the boat recklessly and under the influence of alcohol. If proven true, these could be clear signs of negligence. These actions show a disregard for safety, which could mean the victims have an opportunity to recover additional compensation, like punitive damages, which are meant to punish reckless behavior.

How can a boat accident lawyer help?

Hickey Law Firm specializes in maritime law and life-changing injuries. And the insurance companies know it.

Hickey Law Firm can investigate the crash and collect evidence like police reports and witness statements. We understand maritime law and Florida regulations, which can be tricky. Our attorneys calculate your losses so that you recover compensation for everything – from medical bills to emotional distress. We also deal with insurance companies on your behalf, fighting for what you deserve. Finally, if a fair settlement isn’t offered, we can take your case to trial.

Hickey Law Firm specializes in “life-changing injuries.”® Call today. Call now. 800.215.7117

Call the maritime specialists today. Maritime law applies to any incident or accident on navigable waters, that is, waters subject to commercial traffic waters that are subject to commercial traffic. Maritime law is highly specialized. Only a few law firms and lawyers in the small number of law firms and lawyers in the entire United States specialize in maritime law. Hickey Law Firm is one of those law firms.

John H. (Jack) Hickey has been distinguished by The Best Lawyers in America in three key areas: Admiralty and Maritime Law, Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs, and Medical Malpractice – Plaintiffs. Hickey is Board Certified by The Florida Bar in two areas: Admiralty & Maritime and Civil Trial.  He is also Board Certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy as a Trial Lawyer and holds many other awards and acknowledgments in the industry, including:

• Past Chair of the Admiralty Section of the American Association for Justice (AAJ);
• Past Chair of the Admiralty Law Committee of The Florida Bar;
• Author of over 30 maritime law papers;
• Recipient of the Miami-Dade Bar Circle of Excellence Award for Transportation / Maritime Law, 2024;
• Recipient of the Legal Luminaries Award in Maritime Law, 2024.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a boating accident, don’t wait to act. You deserve justice and compensation for your injuries, medical bills, and emotional pain. Navigating legal and insurance processes can be overwhelming, but the dedicated boat accident attorneys at Hickey Law Firm can make all the difference. We’re here to fight for your rights, hold negligent parties accountable, and help you move forward. Call us or fill out our contact form to schedule a consultation.