An expert witness’s evaluation of George Pino’s injuries may play a key role in his upcoming trial on manslaughter and vessel homicide charges related to a 2022 boat crash that killed 17-year-old Luciana “Lucy” Fernandez, according to a March 18 report.
The case centers on whether Pino, a Doral-based broker and president of State Street Realty, suffered brain damage that could have affected his memory of the incident. The outcome could influence the legal proceedings as he faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted.
Boca Raton neurologist Dr. Diana Barrat examined Pino to determine if he experienced a traumatic brain injury resulting in amnesia or false memories about the accident. Barrat is expected to testify as an expert witness for the defense and authored an 18-page report on her findings, which was submitted to prosecutors at the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office. The report was heavily redacted but suggests that Pino’s legal team may present evidence of brain injury sustained during the Labor Day weekend crash.
Pino was piloting his 29-foot Robalo boat near the Florida Keys when it struck a concrete channel marker and capsized. His wife, daughter, and eleven other teenage girls were also aboard. Fernandez died in the accident, while another teen, Katerina “Katy” Puig, suffered brain injuries. Investigators were told by Pino that he lost control after encountering a wake from a larger boat.
In addition to criminal charges, Pino and his wife are facing a civil lawsuit filed by Puig’s parents in 2023. The complaint alleges that they served alcohol to teenagers before the crash and claims that Pino refused blood and breathalyzer tests following the incident.
The forthcoming trial will likely focus on medical testimony regarding Pino’s mental state at the time of the accident as well as details surrounding events leading up to the fatal crash.
