Coast Guard refers deadly Biscayne Bay barge crash case to Justice Department for possible criminal charges

The U S Coast Guard has referred its inquiry into the deadly July boat collision near Hibiscus Island to the Department of Justice for achievable criminal prosecution officers declared Thursday According to Coast Guard Sector Miami the referral seeks prospective charges under U S C known as seaman s manslaughter against individuals associated with the towing company that operated the barge involved in the crash The July collision between a barge pushed by the uninspected towing vessel Wood Chuck and a small sailing vessel left three children dead and two others injured All were participants in the Miami Yacht Club Youth Sailing Campaign After conducting a thorough marine casualty examination we ve referred this occurrence to Department of Justice for criminal probe to ensure full accountability and help deter similar cases in the future declared Coast Guard Sector Miami Commander Capt Frank J Florio As the process moves into this new phase our thoughts and prayers are with those impacted by this tragic development Investigators noted the sailboat carrying five children and a camp counselor was struck by the barge just off Hibiscus Island Two of the young sailors -year-old Mila Yankelevich of Argentina and -year-old Erin Ko of Chile died shortly after the crash A third victim -year-old Arielle Buchman later died from her injuries The Coast Guard s probe conducted alongside state and local agencies unveiled no evidence of drug or alcohol use by any of the vessel operators Authorities have commented the collision occurred in a mixed-use area of Biscayne Bay frequented by both recreational and commercial vessels