Jeff Knight, the 62-year-old owner of Jannus Live in St. Petersburg, tragically died Sunday night in a boat crash on Clearwater Harbor, which also left several others injured. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) confirmed Knight as the operator of the 37-foot center console boat that collided with a Clearwater Ferry, killing one person and injuring at least 10 others.
Knight, known for his ownership of the popular live music venue Jannus Live, was involved in local hospitality for years. According to officials, Knight had been cooperative during the investigation and voluntarily took a sobriety test, which showed no alcohol in his system. No arrests have been made yet as the investigation into the collision continues.
The crash occurred at approximately 8:43 p.m. on Sunday near the Clearwater Memorial Causeway. The Clearwater Ferry, which was carrying 45 passengers, was struck by the boat, sending the ferry adrift. Local authorities declared the incident a “mass casualty event” due to the number of injuries, which included broken bones and head injuries. One victim, 41-year-old Jose Castro from Palm Harbor, died from his injuries.
Clearwater Police and emergency responders rushed to the scene, assisted by good Samaritan boats, as many of the victims were brought to shore. Eight injured passengers were discharged from local hospitals by Monday morning, while others were treated for more serious injuries.
The FWC is investigating the incident in collaboration with the Pinellas-Pasco State Attorney’s office to determine if the crash qualifies as a hit-and-run, given Knight’s boat left the scene and was later found 3 ½ miles away at the Belleair boat ramp.
The collision occurred in a busy area of Clearwater Harbor, a heavily trafficked route used by both recreational and commercial vessels. The FWC’s Capt. Matthew Dallarosa stated that the agency will conduct a damage assessment of both vessels and continue its investigation, noting the complexity of such cases due to environmental factors like tides and winds.
Knight’s attorney, J. Kevin Hayslett, expressed sympathy for the victims and their families but declined further comment on the incident at this time.
This is not Knight’s first brush with boating-related incidents. In 2012, a man drowned after falling off Knight’s yacht, and Knight was previously arrested three times for driving under the influence. He has also faced legal issues for allowing an underage individual to operate a personal watercraft in 2017.
The Clearwater Ferry, which was founded in 2015 to alleviate traffic congestion between downtown Clearwater and Clearwater Beach, has served as a vital transit option in the area. The service has since expanded and is now under the management of the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Agency.
In light of the tragedy, the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Agency expressed condolences for the victims, acknowledging the heartache caused by the incident and reaffirming their commitment to safety.
As the investigation into the crash continues, authorities are working diligently to piece together the events that led to this devastating tragedy on Clearwater Harbor.