Following the completion of an accident investigation, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) issued an arrest warrant for a Sunny Isles man on a vessel homicide charge. Felipe Escobar (DOB 03/03/69) turned himself in when notified.
If convicted of the charge, he could face up to 15 years in prison.
“The reckless or careless operation of a vessel will not be tolerated,” said Maj. Alfredo Escanio, FWC regional commander. “And when it results in a death, it is our top priority to hold the responsible party accountable and to keep Florida’s waterways as safe as possible.”
On May 26, 2014, Escobar was operating a 23-foot boat when he struck an anchored boat near Elliot Key in Miami-Dade County. As a result of the crash, a passenger on board Escobar’s vessel, Giovanna Santos (02/05/77), died. Escobar and another passenger, Jason Carvalho, sustained serious injuries. The occupants on board the other vessel were uninjured. An investigation into the incident revealed that Escobar was operating his vessel in a reckless manner which resulted in a homicide.
“Deaths caused by boating accidents that involve reckless vessel operation, alcohol or drugs are preventable,” Escanio said, “Boating safety is a top priority for the FWC and we will continue working to avoid similar incidents in the future.”
