At least one person has died in Pinellas County after a sea trial resulted in a crash, according to the sheriff’s office.
Deputies were called out around 2:35 p.m. to the area of 9600 Bay Pines Boulevard after getting reports of the crash. The boat allegedly crashed into Stebbins Island and ejected its operator, 56-year-old Pal Pataki, of Clearwater, Florida.
Pataki was pronounced dead at the scene.
It’s not uncommon to see someone cruising down the streets of historic Key West on a moped or scooter, often clad in Hawaiian shirts — seemingly the area’s unofficial dress code.
This mode of transport is extremely popular in the area. However, like any vehicle, it carries risks and can lead to serious consequences. There are a myriad of reasons why a moped or scooter accident may occur — from narrow streets and tourist inexperience to distracted driving. When they do occur, Leesfield & Partners attorneys know the consequences can be severe, including traumatic brain injuries, spinal fractures, paralysis, broken bones, and more.
Scooters and mopeds are an efficient and fun way to explore Key West’s historic streets, lined with palm trees and the inviting sea breeze. It’s no wonder many tourists opt to rent them or borrow them from friends when visiting the area. Their inexperience on the roads, however, can lead to costly mistakes. Speeding, failing to yield, or not understanding local traffic patterns can all contribute to collisions. Under Florida law, a tourist who negligently causes an accident can be held just as accountable as a local driver. Even if they lack Florida insurance, their out-of-state auto policies may provide coverage, and an injured party can still bring a claim against them in Florida courts.
A 49-year-old man died following a crash near the West Gateway Boulevard Bridge in Boynton Beach’s E-4 Canal Sunday evening, according to local media.
The man was identified as Jeffrey Civitano, of Sunrise, Florida.
Emergency responders were called out to the area just before 6 p.m. after a report of a jet ski crash. Police told reporters that the jet ski was traveling northbound in the canal at the time of the crash. Civitano was found in the water while the jet ski continued traveling north on its own.
A Fort Lauderdale woman faces multiple charges after police say she led them on a high-speed chase Saturday in the Florida Keys.
Lianet Rodriguez, 35, was charged with felony fleeing and eluding police, a misdemeanor moving traffic violation, driving under the influence and resisting an officer.
The chase was sparked by multiple 911 calls that reported a car was driving into oncoming traffic and passing on the shoulder near mile marker 21, according to reporting from local news outlets. Mile Marker 21 is on Cudjoe Key.
Monroe County’s derelict vessel removal program typically deals with barnacle-laden sailboats, but, on Monday, officials announced they would be removing something far more interesting — a 92-foot yellow submarine.
The announcement was made Monday in what a spokesperson for the county told reporters with The Miami Herald is “one of the most unusual and challenging projects in Monroe County’s derelict vessel removal program.” A marine contractor is needed to remove the vessel in coordination with the county’s Marine Resource Officer.
Currently, the sub floats off Marathon in the Middle Keys and has been in the area since at least the 90s.
Police in Texas believe that a 15-year-old girl who died after she was found unresponsive in her mother’s car may have succumbed to carbon monoxide exposure, according to reporting from The Miami Herald.
The incident happened around 3 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 8 after the girl’s mother got off work. Police said the teen met her mom outside and the two stayed outside to talk and fell asleep in the vehicle while it was still running. Authorities told reporters that falling asleep in the car was “normal” for the family because they were recently unhoused and the “car is familiar to them.”
The mother discovered her 15-year-old when she later got up to wake her other daughter inside the home and came back to the car to find the girl unresponsive. The mother then started driving to the hospital and met first responders on the way. Tragically, the girl died at the hospital.
Key West, where Leesfield & Partners has one of three Florida offices, was named as one of the top seven charming U.S. Coastal towns this week by USA Today.
It’s no wonder why the quaint area, known for its combination of Floridian and Caribbean cuisine, history and scenic beaches, was named alongside iconic locations such as Cape Cod and Shelter Island. For years, Key West has been a hub, attracting thousands of tourists from all over the world. In nearly five decades of personal injury practice, Leesfield & Partners has become a figure in the area, known not just for record results for injured clients and grieving families, but also for philanthropic endeavors. Most recently, the firm launched its first-ever Dexter Butler Scholarship at Key West High School to honor the life and legacy of the beloved teacher and coach, Dexter Butler. That scholarship was given to senior Dylan Martinez in May at the school’s Class Night and was presented by Ira Leesfield, the firm’s Founder and Managing Partner, and Partner Justin B. Shapiro.
“I have known the Butler family for my entire 45 years working in Key West,” Mr. Leesfield said of the award. “There is no finer family in the community who has done more for high school athletic programs. Dexter Butler was a true role model.”
Investigators in North Carolina allege they found 39 empty beer cans aboard the boat of a man they say was under the influence the day he hit and killed a little girl.
Quinten Knight, 40, faces charges of serious injury by impaired boating, operating a boat in a reckless manner, felony boating while impaired and misdemeanor boating while impaired, according to reporting from the News and Observer.
Knight is accused of boating under the influence while operating his girlfriend’s vessel on Harris Lake, approximately 25 miles outside of Raleigh, North Carolina, on Saturday, Aug. 2.
At least two men have died and a child was injured in three separate incidents in the Florida Keys during the area’s lobster mini-season.
On Wednesday, July 30, Clarence Shawyer, 82, of Palm City, was found unresponsive in Gulf waters, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office said in an online statement. He was taken to Fisherman’s Hospital in Marathon and later died.
In Islamorada at around 8:30 a.m. the next day, 61-year-old Raymond Bruce Sasser, of Loxahatchee, lost consciousness while snorkeling. Emergency responders took him to Mariners Hospital in Tavernier, where he later died.
Note: The names of the individuals involved in this crime have been excluded from this article to protect the victims.
A Florida Keys woman was sentenced to 13 years in prison this week after pleading guilty to various sex crimes involving children.
The woman, 37, pleaded guilty this week to sexual battery, incest and child neglect. She was arrested in January of 2024. Following her release, she will have to serve eight years of probation and will be subject to court-ordered supervision. She will also be required to register as a sex offender.
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