Jeffry aka Jeff Knight has been identified as the boat skipper involved in the tragic accident with a Clearwater Ferry, find out more about him and the incident below
The tragic accident took place on April 27, 2025, leaving one man dead and multiple others injured.
The attorney for the boat operator, Jeff Knight who crashed into the Clearwater Ferry Sunday released a letter Tuesday explaining his client’s side of the events after the collision.
Who is businessman Jeffry ‘Jeff’ Knight, boat captain behind Clearwater ferry crash accident, bio, age, business and net worth
In a letter addressed to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Attorney J. Kevin Hayslett asserted that his client, Jeffry Knight, was in compliance with Florida law during the chaos that killed a man and seriously injured 10 other people and according to Hayslett, Knight did not leave the scene immediately after the crash. At first, Knight tried to help the victims, directing a passenger on his boat to call 911 to get help and stayed on the line with 911 for 12 minutes, the attorney’s letter stated.
Hayslett also pointed out that Knight was not impaired at the time of the crash, submitting a breath-alcohol test.
Who is Jeffry Knight, boat driver behind the Clearwater ferry accident, charges, bio, age, profession, net worth, and more
CAPTAIN IDENTIFIED: Jeff Knight. BOAT CRASH, Clearwater Florida.https://t.co/R8BaqZoEAm
"Prominent St. Pete businessman" is responsible for the horrific hit-and-run accident. Probably the main reason he hasn't been arrested yet. I'm pretty sure if I had done something like that, pic.twitter.com/SGf5T1JaW0— Gloria (@Swanhwid) April 29, 2025
Following the incident, both state and federal authorities have launched official investigations, and Knight is currently under public scrutiny.
Jeffry ‘Jeff’ Knight identified as boat driver in Clearwater Ferry Accident
Authorities have reportedly confirmed that Jeff Knight was the person operating the recreational vessel that recently collided with a Clearwater Ferry near the Memorial Causeway. The fatal crash took place Sunday night, during peak festival hours, with many passengers returning from the Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival. Knight reportedly struck the ferry at high speed before fleeing the scene.
Official reports indicate that the ferry was carrying about 45 passengers and two crew members. Following the accident, first responders reached the scene and treated dozens of passengers, transporting 10 to local hospitals. Six victims are currently listed as trauma alerts. The accident killed a 41-year-old man named Jose Castro of Palm Harbor, who was pronounced dead after a Coast Guard vessel pulled him out.
Charges and incident reports
So how many people can Jeff Knight from Knight Enterprises kill before he goes to jail? #Clearwater #FerryCrash this dude already escaped one fatality on one of his boats. @DrewOnTheRadio @MrMikeCalta pic.twitter.com/LupKn8iffj
— I’m just a Bill (@MichelleBeth77) April 28, 2025
Currently, no charges have been filed against Knight, as authorities reported that they did not find any trace of alcohol in his system. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is currently leading the investigation, while the US Coast Guard has launched a parallel inquiry into the incident.
According to reports, Knight has a prior boating citation on record, dating back to 2019. The citation was for an incident near St. Petersburg that resulted in a careless boating charge.
Jeffry ‘Jeff’ Knight bio and age
Businessman Jeffry Knight of St. Pete who is a businessman is a resident of Largo, Florida, and a renowned figure in the Tampa Bay business community. Jeffry has spent decades building his professional reputation, and he is currently 62 years old. He currently resides in a nearly 12,000-square-foot estate located in Largo.
Profession
Jeffry Knight currently serves as the chairman of Knight Enterprises, which is a major communications infrastructure company in the region. He is also the founder and owner of Knight Global Entertainment. The company operates several popular venues, including the iconic Jannus Live, located in downtown St. Petersburg. Back in 2020, a private equity firm named Mill Point Capital acquired Knight Enterprises for an estimated $34 million in annual revenue.
The Ferry boat captain was identified as Dennis Kimerer, and the captain of the private boat was identified as Jeffry Knight after on Sunday evening, owner Jeffry Knight’s 37-foot boat slammed into the back of a ferry, with the impact killing 41-year-old Jose Castro.
The Clearwater Ferry is operated by the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority and service began in 2015.