KEY WEST, FL – In a recent case, Daniel Anthony Ross entered a plea of no contest to Culpable Negligence, a first-degree misdemeanor, stemming from a boating crash in Safe Harbor Channel near Stock Island in October 2023.
Before County Judge Mark Wilson, Ross was adjudicated guilty and sentenced to 12 months of probation. Judge Wilson also ordered Ross to complete a Safe Boating Course, perform 50 hours of community service, and pay fines, court costs, and investigative costs. As part of the resolution of the case, Ross also paid $20,000 in restitution.
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission investigation, Ross was operating a 22-foot Ranger vessel on the evening of October 6, 2023, while returning from a memorial gathering near Key West when the vessel struck Daybeacon Marker No. 5 in Safe Harbor Channel. The collision caused injuries to passengers aboard the vessel and significant damage to the boat. Following the investigation, Ross was charged with Culpable Negligence, and the case was ultimately resolved through a negotiated plea.
Chief Assistant State Attorney Joseph Mansfield said, “Operating a vessel carries the same responsibility as operating a motor vehicle. Boaters must remain attentive to their surroundings, particularly when navigating at night. This case demonstrates how quickly a preventable incident can occur when proper care is not exercised. Safe boating is not optional—it is a responsibility owed to everyone on the water.”
Assistant State Attorney Nicholas Trovato prosecuted the case.
MONROE COUNTY STATE ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
The Office of the State Attorney for the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit, led by State Attorney Dennis W. Ward, is committed to upholding the law through ethical prosecution, collaboration with investigative partners, and the pursuit of justice for the citizens of Monroe County.
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