South Florida Man Accused Of Drunk Boating After Dinghy Sinks

A South Florida man was arrested on New Year's Day for boating under the influence after the dinghy he was operating overturned and sank, sending him and two children into the Intracoastal Waterway, deputies said.

Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office deputies found Brian Fernandes sitting on the ground when they responded to a water rescue in Lake Worth.

Fernandes was argumentative and his words were slurred, according to an arrest affidavit. 

When the deputy asked him where the boat was, Fernandes answered, "It doesn't matter."

Fernandes told the deputy that he was operating the boat when it "just went down," according to the report.

Three other people, including two girls, were on the boat at the time.

When the deputy asked Fernandes if he would consent to a roadside sobriety test, he refused, put his hands behind his back and told the deputy, "Put them on," the report said.

A passenger told the deputy that a large wave caused the 12-foot dinghy to fill with water and sink.

Fernandes faces a charge of boating under the influence. He was also cited for not having any life jackets on the boat. He was released from jail on his own recognizance the next day.


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