Mass Casualty Boat Collision Near Memorial Causeway Under Investigation
Clearwater – Multiple agencies were called to the scene of a boat collision near the Clearwater Memorial Causeway at approximately 8:43 p.m. on Sunday, April 27, 2025. Two boats were involved. One boat was the 40-foot Clearwater Ferry, and the other was a recreational powerboat that ran over the Ferry at high speed. That recreational boat left the crash scene and was located south of the Belleair Boat ramp shortly thereafter.
Clearwater Police initially believed the ferry ran aground by striking a sandbar, as the ferry was in very shallow water. After approximately 10 minutes, officers determined that this was ultimately a result of a boat collision and categorized the crash as a hit-and-run.
The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit made contact with a 37-foot 2019 triple-outboard “Statement” motorboat, center console boat heading away from the collision site, south of the Belleair Causeway at approximately 9:05 p.m. According to an occupant on the boat, it reportedly took on water and was assisted to the Belleair Boat Ramp, approximately 3.75 miles south of the crash location. The operator of the boat was identified as Jeffry Knight, by FWC.
A Clearwater Ferry crew member hailed the Coast Guard on VHF-FM channel 16 at approximately 8:40 p.m., reporting the ferry was hit by a recreational vessel, and there were reported injuries. The operator of the ferry was identified as Dennis Kimerer.
There were reportedly 45 people on the ferry and six people on the recreational vessel.
Due to the number of injuries and the severity of the incident, information remains limited. First responders evaluated the 43 occupants plus the two crew members of the Clearwater Ferry and six on board the vessel located at the Belleair Boat Ramp.
Two air transport units arrived to transport severely injured passengers to local trauma centers. The request for additional air transport units was later cancelled due to a lack of availability. Ten ground ambulance units were asked to assist with patient transport. A total of 10 people were transported to local hospitals, and six patients were declared trauma alert. Many of those involved suffered head injuries along with broken bones.
Many of the passengers on the Clearwater Ferry were reported to be leaving the Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival, which ran from April 11, 2025, through April 27, 2025.
One person on the ferry, 41-year-old Jose Castro of Palm Harbor, involved in the crash, died at the scene. He was reportedly picked up by the US Coast Guard and brought onto their boat.
A GoFundMe account has been set up for Jose Castro’s family to travel from Peru to attend his service. That account can be found here: https://gofund.me/b3521e2a
“We’d like to offer our deepest condolences to the loved one of the deceased,” said Cmdr. Fredrick Pugh, Chief of Response, Sector St. Petersburg. “Coast Guard investigative officers and FWC are working to determine the cause of the collision and verify the details leading up to the incident.”
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will lead the crash investigation.
FWC Critical Incident personnel will continue canvassing the area for surveillance footage and potential witnesses. As part of the ongoing investigation, follow-up interviews with passengers and witnesses are planned. The United States Coast Guard is also conducting a concurrent investigation into the commercial passenger vessel.
Jeffry Knight is listed online as the Chairman of Knight Enterprises and owner of Knight Global Entertainment. This company is the parent company of several downtown bars and entertainment venues in St. Petersburg, including Jannus Live. Knight Enterprises was acquired by Mill Point Capital in 2020 and had an annual revenue of approximately $34 million, employing 51-100 people.
Knight Enterprises is well known in the Tampa Bay area for providing engineering, design, construction, and maintenance services of wireline and wireless communications.
Knight resides in a home in the 2200 block of Kings Point Drive in Largo, Florida.
According to court records, Knight was involved in another boat collision by the Dick Miesner bridge in St. Petersburg. He was cited for the careless operation of a vessel and the violation of navigation rules, which resulted in the crash in September 2019. An occupant of the struck boat, a 21′ 2019 Bennington Marine Pontoon Boat, filed a civil lawsuit, but no details were released regarding the settlement. As of April 28, 2025, no charges have been filed in this case.
A press conference was held at the Clearwater Police Department with representatives from FWC, Clearwater Fire & Rescue, and Clearwater Police. Investigators are continuing to inspect both vessels involved. FWC will release the names of all parties soon. FWC stated that no alcohol was detected on the boat operator’s breath. They are coordinating with the State Attorney’s Office regarding potential charges. No one has been taken into custody or charged at this time.
Due to the scene’s complexity, updates will be released as information becomes available.
Below is the letter submitted by J. Kevin Hayslett, the attorney representing Jeffry Knight. The letter was submitted to Investigator Schefano from the FWC
On Wednesday, April 30, 2025, Jannus Live Family posted the following
Note: There have been no arrests or notice of pending charges as the investigation continues