Lawsuit filed against Jeffrey Knight, Clearwater Ferry, in deadly ferry crash

CLEARWATER, Fla. (WFLA)— Two of the 10 passengers who were injured in the deadly Clearwater Ferry crash are suing the ferry company and Jeffrey Knight. According to court documents, two people who were on board the night of the deadly crash are suing Clearwater Ferry Services, LLC, and Jeffrey Knight, the driver of the boat that crashed into the ferry. Court documents said both victims sustained bodily injuries resulting in pain and suffering, disability, disfigurement, mental anguish, loss of the capacity for the enjoyment of life, expenses of hospitalization, medical and nursing care and treatment, loss of earnings, loss of the ability to earn money, and aggravation of a pre-existing condition, if any. Both victims are asking for $50,000 from the Clearwater Ferry Service, LLC, $50,000 from Mad Toyz III, LLC, which is owned by Jeffrey Knight, and $50,000 from Jeffrey Knight. "Clearwater Ferry Service, LLC, owed a duty to operate its vessel in a safe manner, so as to not cause injuries to its passengers," court documents said. On April 27, 2025, 45 people were on board the Ferry when a boat collided with the stern of the ferry, killing one person, Jose Castro, 41, and injuring 10. Police were called to the Clearwater Memorial Causeway Bridge after the crash. According to court records, Jeffrey Knight was charged with leaving the scene of an accident with serious injury and death. On May 27, 2026, the captain who operated the Clearwater Ferry pleaded down from a misdemeanor offense. The ferry captain, Dennis Kimerer, was also initially charged with a misdemeanor for violating navigation rules resulting in serious bodily injury or death. Kimerer entered a plea of no contest to a noncriminal ordinance infraction on May 27. The infraction is under the state law that covers “a person who violates the navigation rules and the violation does not constitute reckless operation of a vessel.” According to court records, Knight is scheduled for a jury trial for his felony charges on Feb. 1, 2027.