Clearwater Ferry crash: Here's what led to Jeffry Knight’s arrest months after deadly boat strike

CLEARWATER, Fla. - The Coast Guard and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission have been investigating the deadly Clearwater Ferry crash for three months and charged 62-year-old Pinellas County businessman Jeffry Knight and the Clearwater Ferry captain in connection with the incident. 

On Monday, Knight was charged with eight counts of felony leaving the scene of a boating accident involving death and serious bodily injury. 

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Knight is also facing misdemeanor charges for failure to maintain a safe speed and failure to maintain a proper lookout, resulting in a fatal boating accident. 

During a press conference on Tuesday afternoon, Evan Laskowski of the FWC, said once there was enough evidence to charge Knight, investigators learned he was in the Bahamas. 

He added that Knight was cooperative and flew back to the United States where he was arrested around 6 p.m. at the St. Pete/Clearwater International Airport. 

The FWC said it conducted dozens of  interviews, digitally reconstructed the crash and test-drove the vessel in question to do a thorough functionality check before charging Knight. 

Knight was released from jail around 10 p.m. on Monday after posting $40,000 bail. 

Dennis Kimerer, the captain of the Clearwater Ferry was charged with violating a navigation rule for failing to have a working stern light at the time of the crash. 

What they're saying:

"Our hearts go out to all those affected by this tragic accident, especially to the family members of Jose Castro," Evan Laskowski stated. "Our hope is that the conclusion of this investigation can be the first step in bringing closure and justice to his family and all those affected by this event."

RELATED: Search warrant: Jeff Knight ‘panicked’ and told his passengers to stop calling 911 after deadly ferry crash

The backstory:

Officials said Knight, the former owner of Janus Live who stepped down days after the deadly crash, was operating the private vessel when it slammed into the Clearwater Ferry on April 27.

The ferry was carrying 45 passengers near the Memorial Causeway, and the impact of the crash caused multiple injuries as well as the death of Jose Castro, according to FWC.

Multiple agencies responded in the aftermath of the crash, including FWC, the Clearwater Police Department, Clearwater Fire Department, Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office and the United States Coast Guard.

PREVIOUS: Clearwater Ferry crash victim sues Jeffry Knight after deadly collision

Dig deeper:

During their months-long investigation, FWC officials said Knight left the scene of the crash and headed south toward his home. That's when investigators said the PCSO stopped him in the water.

At the time of the crash, Knight told investigators he at first stayed at the scene to render aid to ferry passengers. He said his boat began to take on water, so he left, and that’s why his boat was at the Belleair Boat Ramp.

In an electronic data search warrant issued by FWC, it was revealed that passengers on Knight's boat told investigators after the crash, Knight was panicked and told them, "My life is over. I'm going to lose everything," and tried to stop them from calling 911. The warrant also alleges Knight's all-around white light was not displayed on his boat.

Criminal Defense Attorney, Anthony Rickman, who is not affiliated with the case said Knight's arrest does not come as a surprise.

"As the story played out, as the people on his boat started to talk to the State Attorney's Office, when we hear the 911 calls, and we see the investigation, the truth is starting to come out, and the truth is different than what Knight really portrayed it to be," he added. "We see facts that Jeff Knight was only concerned about his own well-being than the well-being of individuals on that boat, many of whom were seriously injured and one killed."

FWC officers investigated the case, which included reviewing surveillance video, analyzing physical evidence and interviewing numerous witnesses. The Coast Guard also investigated the Clearwater Ferry's involvement in the crash.

What they're saying:

"We’re proud of the cooperative efforts between our agency, law enforcement partners, and the State Attorney’s Office to bring justice to those impacted by this tragic event," said FWC Southwest Regional Commander Major Evan Laskowski.

MORE: Clearwater Ferry crash: Firefighters describe rescue efforts after deadly boating incident

FWC also extended their condolences to those involved in a press release.

"The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission extends its heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of Jose Castro, as well as to all those injured and affected by this incident."

Victim's family reacts to charges

What they're saying:

The family of Jose Castro says they're happy to see these charges being filed, but that this is just the first step in a long healing process.

"He was a great piece, the gold piece of the family, bringing happiness to everybody," Jose's sister, Sandy Todd, said.

Castro’s family says the last three months have been painful for them.

"My daughters miss him every day," Jenny Hernandez, the mother of Castro’s daughters said. "There's no explanation. There's no peace, no happiness that can fill the hole that he's left."

Jose's family says he had gone to a festival on Clearwater Beach the day of the crash. Todd says her brother was coming back from the beach on the ferry when Knight's boat crashed into it.

"He was texting a friend saying, 'I'm going back because I have to do grocery shopping for my girls tomorrow, because I have to pick them up from school tomorrow and just enjoy with them," Todd said.

Todd says the last several months have been extremely difficult for his two young daughters.

"My brother was a happy person," Todd said. "He was an amazing father, a wonderful son. He didn't deserve to die like this."

On Tuesday, an attorney for Castro’s family said they're satisfied with the FWC's investigation and the charges being filed.

"Charging felonies was a big step," the family's attorney, George Tragos, said. "You realize that they could have charged just misdemeanors."

A memorial for Jose has been set up by the water near the crash site. Todd says they visit his memorial almost every day to pay tribute to him.

"We want peace," Todd said. "We want to heal, and we cannot heal because of the process."

The other side:

Knight's legal team released the following statement on Tuesday after his arrest: 

"Jeffrey Knight remains deeply saddened by the events of April 27, 2025, and extends his prayers to all those affected. This tragic incident deserves careful attention, not rushed judgment — and certainly not public mischaracterization.

Yet from the very beginning, that’s exactly what happened.

‘The claim that Jeff Knight immediately sped from the scene is false — and it’s time to correct the record,’ said Knight’s attorney, J. Kevin Hayslett.

That allegation — first issued publicly by the Clearwater Police Department and quickly echoed by media outlets, public officials, and social media commentators — suggested that Knight fled responsibility. In truth, Knight remained on scene for over 11 minutes, tied his vessel to the ferry, pushed it toward land to assist first responders, and instructed his passenger to call 911, which resulted in a nine-minute recorded emergency call.

‘He didn’t flee — he stayed, he helped, and he made the call. But that didn’t fit the early narrative,’ Hayslett added.

Even more troubling, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) has filed eight felony chargesagainst Knight — not for eight distinct criminal acts, but for a single alleged offense repeated for each person on board the ferry who claims injury.

‘Let’s be clear: these aren’t eight separate incidents — it’s one allegation copied eight times. It may sound dramatic, but it’s not eight different acts. It’s the same charge applied to each passenger,’ Hayslett explained.

And remarkably, those charges are not based on physical evidence or objective facts, but largely on Knight’s demeanor after the collision.

‘When a law enforcement agency charges someone based on how they looked — not what they did — that’s not justice. That’s opinion masquerading as law,’ Hayslett said.

Meanwhile, in a development that finally confirms what Knight’s team has stated from the outset, the ferry boat captain has now been charged for failing to maintain a required stern light — a basic and critical safety device under both Coast Guard and maritime law.

‘It’s ironic — and frankly outrageous — that Knight was vilified while the ferry was operating in complete violation of federal safety standards,’ Hayslett said.

‘This is the maritime equivalent of a school bus driving at night with no tail lights — and blaming the driver who couldn’t see it.’

As a common carrier, the Clearwater Ferry is legally bound to the highest standard of care. That includes:

• Coast Guard inspections
• Working navigational lighting (including stern lights)
• Use of sound signals to avoid collision
• Proper lookout and staffing
• Timely post-incident drug and alcohol screening

‘Knight is being charged for staying calm. The ferry captain is being charged for making his boat invisible,' Hayslett said.

Knight’s conduct on April 27 and since has been consistent, responsible, and cooperative:

• He remained on scene
• Tied up to the ferry
• Pushed the vessel toward land
• Directed a 911 call lasting over 9 minutes
• Voluntarily submitted to a breath test — result: 0.000
• Surrendered his vessel for inspection
• Returned from out of state voluntarily
• Surrendered his passport

‘If law enforcement had even a shred of evidence Jeff was impaired, they could have — and would have — compelled testing. They didn’t. Because there wasn’t any,’ said Hayslett.

Meanwhile, the Clearwater Ferry, partially funded by taxpayers through the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA), has escaped meaningful scrutiny for its own operational failures.

‘When an insurance company writes a million-dollar check, they’re not doing it out of generosity — they’re admitting fault,’ Hayslett noted.

This case isn’t about social media narratives or political soundbites. It’s about the facts — and what the evidence really shows.

‘We look forward to presenting that evidence to an impartial jury of Mr. Knight’s peers — and finally setting the record straight,’ Hayslett concluded."

The family spokesperson and son-in-law of Captain Kimerer also released the following statement: 

"The charge against Captain Dennis Kimerer—who sustained life-threatening injuries in this tragic incident—is without merit. The evidence makes clear that Mr. Knight was operating his vessel at an unsafe and reckless speed. He then fled the scene of the collision—conduct that speaks volumes about where the fault lies. 

As any experienced boater or motorist understands, equipment malfunctions can occur in transit. A single light failure does not absolve another operator of the responsibility to navigate safely, maintain situational awareness, and adjust speed accordingly. The obligation to operate at a safe speed exists precisely to allow for the unexpected—something Mr. Knight negligently ignored. Additionally, public statements indicate other boaters in the vicinity could see the ferry despite the equipment failure." 

PSTA also said it will not comment on the legal matter. 

What's next:

As of Tuesday afternoon, Knight hadn't made his first appearance, and he still needs to be arraigned. 

ClearwaterCrime and Public Safety