Boat operator sentenced to prison following the capsizing incident near NYC that resulted in the deaths of a mother and her child.

NEW YORK — On Thursday, a captain of an unpermitted tour boat that overturned in the Hudson River was sentenced to a prison term of 18 months following the tragic deaths of a woman and a seven-year-old boy.

Richard Cruz, aged 33, entered a guilty plea in October to charges involving misconduct and negligence related to boating operations. Records from the court indicate that Cruz acknowledged that he overloaded his vessel, known as Stimulus Money, and lacked the necessary Coast Guard credentials to transport paying passengers legally.

The incident occurred on July 12, 2022, when the boat capsized while carrying 13 individuals, tragically throwing them into the water near Manhattan’s West Side. The woman, who was 48 years old, and the child lost their lives after being trapped beneath the capsized boat, as reported by prosecutors.

U.S. Attorney Danielle Sassoon, based in Manhattan, highlighted in a statement that this case serves as a warning to commercial boat operators about the responsibility to adhere to federal rules and safety measures designed to protect passengers.

According to the prosecutor’s office, Cruz was operating the boat at high speeds despite warnings issued to small boat operators about dangerous winds and rough seas that day.

Cruz, who resides in Elizabeth, New Jersey, was also mandated by the court to pay $50,000 towards the funeral costs of the victims. A request for a comment from Cruz’s attorney was submitted but did not receive a response.