KEY WEST, Fla. — A 48-year-old Miami Beach man, Reinaldo Aquit, has been arrested and charged in connection with a deadly boat crash that occurred last year in the Florida Keys, killing 28-year-old Stephanie Rodriguez of Hialeah.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) confirmed that Aquit was operating a 39-foot speed boat on Nov. 7 in Key West when the crash occurred. Rodriguez tragically died as a result of the incident.
Rodriguez, remembered as “a kind, loving, and playful person” by family and friends on a GoFundMe page created by Mia Perez, left behind a heartbroken community.
Arrest and Charges
On Friday afternoon, Aquit was arrested in Plantation Key and booked into jail by Monroe County Sheriff’s Office deputies. He is facing the following charges:
Negligent manslaughter
Five counts of public order crimes
Three counts of health and safety violations
His bond was set at $500,000, and his arraignment is scheduled for July 3.
This arrest comes after months of investigation by the FWC, which handles boating-related law enforcement in the state. Authorities have not disclosed further details about what led to the crash or whether alcohol or speed were contributing factors.