MIAMI, FL— September 2, 2011 – A Clay County man who was charged with reckless boating in connection with the February 2010 crash that claimed the life of his 17-year-old son and another 15-year-old girl has been sentenced to 18 days in jail. According to information provided by News4Jax, as well as previous reports reiterated by the Miami boat accident attorneys of Gerson & Schwartz, 49-year-old Middleburg man Ted Hanner, who pleaded no contest to the misdemeanor charge, will face 11 months of probation upon serving his prison sentence.
Reports indicated Hanner was out on his boat with his son, Travis and his son’s friend Halee Mickey, 15, when the vessel began experiencing mechanical problems. In conducting a full investigation into the fatal boat accident, authorities from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) determined that the boat’s controls were in the on-position when Tanner walked about six feet away from them so he could pump a fuel bulb.
When the engine began working again, the boat took an abrupt turn and crashed into an overhanging tree branch, causing both his son and Halee to suffer chest, neck, and head injuries. Both of the teenage crash victims ultimately succumbed to their accident injuries.
According statistics provided by the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), 668 boat accidents were reported during the year 2010. A total of 79 boating deaths and 389 injuries resulted from those boat crashes and accidents. Furthermore, Florida has the highest number of boating accidents in the nation.
About the Miami cruise ship injury lawyers and boat accident attorneys of Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.
With four decades of experience litigating the multifaceted personal injury and wrongful death claims of boat and cruise line passengers who are hurt or assaulted onboard, the knowledgeable Florida boating accident lawyers of Gerson & Schwartz are dedicated to protecting the rights of these individuals and fighting to provide them with the compensation they deserve. Working closely with the National Center for Victims of Crime, the Miami personal injury attorneys of Gerson & Schwartz, P.A. strive to provide justice to individuals who suffer serious injuries in a wide variety of boating accidents.