Be careful boating over the holidays; Many boating death results in BUI manslaughter/vessel homicide charges
L: Andrew Miltner (HCSO); R: Jasina Campbell (Facebook).
Tampa, Florida - On Dec. 28, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the Hillsborough State Attorney’s Office made a joint announcement that Andrew Joseph Miltner, 40, of Riverniew, FL, was arrested on a warrant for boating under the influence (BUI) manslaughter and vessel homicide, as the result of an investigation into a fatal boating collision that occurred on the Alafia River on May 17, 2020, and resulted in the death of 12 year-old Jasina Sapphire Campbell. Miltner is incarcerated at the Hillsborough County Jail in Tampa.
“This is every parents’ worst nightmare," said Hillsborough State Attorney Andrew Warren. "It’s our job to protect the community, and we intend to make sure this person can’t do this again. Everyone who’s planning to spend time on the water around the holidays needs to hear this: Boating while intoxicated and recklessly putting lives in danger won’t be tolerated in our community.”
During 2019, 32% of boating fatalities in Florida were alcohol or drug related. The FWC reminds boaters that boating while impaired is dangerous and illegal, and operators who are found to be boating while impaired will face charges by FWC officers who continually patrol the waters looking for impaired operators.
On May 17, 2020 Miss Campbell and another youth were riding on a tube that was being pulled by a boat, when a personal watercraft being operated by Mr. Miltner collided with the tube. FWC officers, Hillsborough County Fire Rescue and deputies with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office dive team recovered Miss Campbell's body. The other tube rider was transported to an area hospital with injuries.
Investigators determined that Miltner’s consumption of alcohol, his reckless operation of his watercraft - accelerated speed in a posted idle speed zone, and his failure to avoid the collision with the inner tube - caused the death of Miss Campbell.
“Tragedies like this are avoidable, by simply not operating a watercraft while impaired," said Major Roger Young, FWC Regional Commander. "Jasina Campbell should be celebrating the holidays with her family, and sadly she is not because of a poor decision Mr. Miltner made. If you boat under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you are endangering your life and the lives of others, and you will be arrested.”
To report a person who is operating a boat in a dangerous manner, or while impaired, call 1-888-404-FWCC (3922) or text Tip@MyFWC.com.