Boater in Clearwater Ferry crash did not commit hit-and-run, attorneys say

Emily Wunderlich, Tampa Bay Times on Apr 29, 2025

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TAMPA, Fla. — Attorneys for the driver of the boat that hit a Clearwater Ferry say he did not commit a hit-and-run and that the ferry was not adequately lit at the time of the crash.

In a letter to investigators late Tuesday, Kevin Hayslett, who is representing local businessman Jeff Knight, laid out the most detailed account yet of Knight’s version of events after the collision that killed one person and injured about 10 others Sunday night. Among the letter’s assertions:

—Knight had someone on board call 911 after the crash and stayed on scene and offered help until first responders arrived.

—Knight left the scene because his boat was taking on water and he feared it might sink.

—The ferry was not properly lit and that the crew and passengers were distracted by dolphins just before the crash.

The ferry had been carrying 45 people, including two crew members, from Clearwater Beach when the collision was first reported at 8:43 p.m. Time-stamped video recorded by a city web camera at Coachman Park shows the boat crashing into the back of the ferry at 8:40 p.m. It then pulled away from the ferry and remained in the area as the ferry appeared to drift.

About 10 minutes later, it began to slowly motor away from the scene.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, which is investigating the collision, said Knight was cooperative and voluntarily took a Breathalyzer test Sunday night, which registered no alcohol in his system. He is not charged with a crime.

Hayslett’s letter states that immediately after the crash, Knight directed a passenger on his boat to call 911, and that passenger remained on the line with a call taker for nearly 12 minutes.

“During this time, the caller relayed updates and emergency directions, such as telling Mr. Knight to instruct all the ferry passengers to immediately put on a life jacket,” the letter states. “Mr. Knight tied his vessel to the ferry in order to stabilize it and render aid. He used his boat to maneuver the ferry closer to shore so that first responders would have easier access to the passengers.”

While Knight was still on the scene, he noticed that his boat had taken on “a large amount of water and all of his bilge pumps were activated,” the letter states. Additionally, the mother of an 8-week-old child on board “pleaded for immediate transport following the crash” because she was concerned the infant may have been injured.

“However, given the circumstances, including vessel draft, water depth, and the compromised condition of Mr. Knight’s boat, he prudently determined that returning to dock as quickly as possible was the best course of action,” the letter states. “Again, it is important to note that he waited until emergency personnel arrived on scene before he departed.”

As Knight was trying to navigate to shore, the letter states, he was stopped by law enforcement, who conducted a visual inspection of his boat and determined he was able to continue to the Belleair boat ramp. Knight was “towed to the boat ramp on their insistence where fire rescue met the infant to do a medical assessment.”

The letter also says there is “credible concern” that the ferry was not displaying the required navigational lights at the time of the crash.

“Multiple witnesses have reported that the ferry appeared inadequately illuminated, and that in the moments before the collision, the captain and many passengers were distracted by dolphins in the area, diminishing navigational awareness,” the letter states. “It appears that just prior to the accident, someone on the ferry was shining a spotlight in the channel, which would confirm reports that they were looking at dolphins.”

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