The captain of a ferry involved in a hit-and-run crash that killed one person and injured several others in Clearwater, Florida, early last year has pleaded guilty to committing a navigational violation that may have contributed to the tragedy.
Dennis Kimerer, 65, was at the helm of the 40-foot (12-metre) ferry Maddie's Crossing when it was struck by a small boat on the night (local time) of April 27, 2025. The ferry later came to rest on a sandbar, allowing first responders to render assistance to the distressed passengers.
Officials said that the small boat, which was operated at the time by local business owner Jeffrey Knight, fled the scene shortly afterwards. Knight has pleaded not guilty to eight different felony counts, each of which has a maximum prison sentence of 30 years, for his role in the crash and for leaving the scene.
Appearing in court on Wednesday, May 27, Kimmerer pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of operating a vessel without a working stern light. This violation of a navigational rule was originally classed as a misdemeanor but was downgraded to a civil infraction.
Kimmerer will also be made to pay a fine of US$500 in addition to court costs.
Knight's trial has meanwhile been delayed is now scheduled to begin on February 1, 2027. Pretrial hearings will also take place with the next one set for July 24.