A well-known businessman has been accused of murder in the drowning death of a teenage girl while on a boat.

Last week, a well-known Florida real estate developer surrendered to authorities for a homicide charge, two years following a 2022 boat crash near Miami that resulted in the death of a teenage girl.

On September 4, 2022, George Pino, 54, was operating a 29-foot vessel with his wife and 12 minors present when he crashed into a channel marker near Boca Chita Key, resulting in the death of 17-year-old Luciana Fernandez and the serious injury of another 17-year-old and a 16-year-old, according to prosecutors and officials with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).

On Thursday, Pino was present in a Miami-Dade Court with numerous family members and friends present. The Miami Herald reported that he pleaded not guilty to a felony homicide charge for the September 2022 incident.

Pino's attorney, Howard Srebnick, stated in a part of his statement to Planet Chronicle Digital that he was dismayed by the State's surprise-decision to file a felony charge more than two years later.

Last week, a judge ordered Pino to be placed in jail on charges of vessel homicide/operate in reckless manner in connection with the 2022 crash. However, he has since been released, as per his Miami-Dade case file.

Pino, who went out on a boat to celebrate his daughter's birthday, refused a blood-alcohol level test following the accident and requested an attorney's presence, as stated in the FWC report and a civil lawsuit.

The investigation into the incident last year revealed that Pino was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol while operating the boat due to the boat's driving pattern.

"Our family, who has already had to accept the consequences of the accident, is now being insulted by being forced to accept the numerous inconsistencies refuted by the FWC report," Andres and Melissa Fernandez, Luciana's parents, stated in a previous interview with Planet Chronicle Digital.

New footage of Pino speaking with FWC officers after the crash revealed that he admitted to having two beers but declined to give a blood sample and refused a breathalyzer, according to NBC6.

A Miami-Dade firefighter who responded to the boat crash testified that alcohol played a role in the accident, prompting prosecutors to re-evaluate the case and file a new charge against the defendants, according to the attorney for the Fernandez family.

According to the FWC, 61 empty alcohol bottles and cans, one empty champagne bottle, and a half-full liquor bottle were discovered on board.

Pino's attorney stated to Planet Chronicle Digital that the officers on the scene of the crash determined that Pino was not intoxicated, Pino did not exceed any posted speed limit, Pino had the required number of Coast Guard-approved life preservers on board the vessel, and despite sustaining a head injury himself (requiring fifteen stitches), Pino made heroic efforts to rescue the injured passengers, including diving under the capsized boat.

The Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office initially accused Pino of three misdemeanors, including one charge of recklessly operating a boat that resulted in a death and two charges of recklessly operating a boat that caused serious injuries.

Last month, the homicide charge was filed, while the misdemeanor charges were dropped on Oct. 31.

Srebnick stated that he hopes the State Attorney will recognize the accidental nature of the incident and dismiss the charge, avoiding a trial that would force everyone involved to relive the nightmare in a public courtroom.

Pino's next hearing is scheduled for Jan. 8, 2025.

Planet Chronicle Digital's Audrey Conklin contributed to this report.