Man Charged with Reckless Endangerment After Boat Capsizes Near Statue of Liberty, Killing Mother and Infant
A Manhattan man faces 13 counts of reckless endangerment after a bowrider capsized in New York Harbor, killing a 27-year-old mother and her 5-month-old daughter.
Police and Coast Guard officials said a 22-foot bowrider capsized at about 10:25 p.m. on Saturday near the Statue of Liberty, prompting a multi-agency rescue effort that included NYPD, FDNY and Coast Guard vessels as well as a police helicopter. The vessel’s captain, 46-year-old Manuel Hernandez of Midtown Manhattan, was arrested shortly after the incident and charged with 13 counts of reckless endangerment.
Queens residents Sara Sanchez, 27, and her 5-month-old daughter Antonella Garcia were recovered from the water by NYPD divers and transported to NYU Langone Hospital in Brooklyn, where they were later pronounced dead. A dozen other passengers were rescued and are reported to be in stable condition.
Authorities have not disclosed any relationship between Hernandez and the victims. The investigation continues, with the Coast Guard examining whether the boat was operating as an illegal charter.