A father was killed and his 14-year-old son was injured after they were struck by a boat in what authorities said was a hit-and-run in Biscayne Bay Wednesday night.
The Miami Beach Fire Department said crews responded to a water rescue at around 8:11 p.m. near 7970 Biscayne Point Circle involving a small vessel that was involved in a hit-and-run incident.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officials said the father and son were aboard a seven-foot dinghy in the Meloy Channel, near Indian Creek and Biscayne Pointe in Biscayne Bay, when they were struck by another vessel.
The other vessel fled the scene, officials said.
First responders were able to bring both victims ashore at a nearby residence and rush them to Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital.
The father did not survive. He was identified by the FWC on Thursday as 55-year-old Davide Veglia, of North Miami.
His 14-year-old son remained hospitalized on Thursday with a broken arm.
Two teens said they were doing landscaping work nearby and called 911 after hearing the son screaming for help.
FWCFWC
The vessel that struck the victims is described as a dark blue boat with black bottom paint, 20–30 feet in length, with possibly four outboard motors.
“‘Help, help, help.’ He said it like three times and the third time it just went silent. And right after that, it just went silent. We couldn’t hear anything else and that right after a boat came super fast,” Samuel Londoño said. “They took out the dad on a stretcher and then the kid, they carried him. The kid was holding his wrist because they said it broken. The dad went that way and the kid went that way.”
Neighbors said they were shocked to learn about the hit-and-run.
“That’s so sad, really. Devastating, you think about your family,” said Pascale Padiou. “Can you imagine that? You hit a small boat and then you leave? That’s horrible.”
Larry Schweiger said he’s seen close class before and on Wednesday night saw a small boat with lights off.
“On the sand bar last night around 8, 8:30, a small white dingy no lights on. It’s very dangerous out here especially with a small boat because large boats will not see you,” Schweiger said. “It’s very tragic, I have a young son who I bought the small boat for and safety is all I ever taught him.”
FWCFWC
It was last seen between approximately 7:45 p.m. and 8:15 p.m., heading northbound from the Meloy Channel in Biscayne Bay.
Officials are looking for a dark blue boat with black bottom paint, 20 to 30 feet in length, with possibly four outboard motors in the hit-and-run. It was last seen heading northbound from the Meloy Channel in Biscayne Bay.
FWC officers are asking anyone who witnessed the accident or anyone who may have video footage or information to call the Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922).