Officials: 2 men charged in death of child and woman in Hudson River boat capsizing
Julian Vasquez and his aunt Lindelia Vasquez were killed when they were trapped under the vessel.
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Two Union County men could face up to 10 years in prison for the deaths of a 7-year-old boy and 48-year-old woman killed in a boating capsize.
Richard Cruz and Jaime Pinilla-Gomez, both of Elizabeth, were charged with causing the death of Julian Vasquez and his aunt Lindelia Vasquez when a boat they were on capsized in the Hudson River in July 2022.
Officials say Cruz, 32, and Pinilla-Gomez, 25, were operating the boat and doing boat tours without the proper Coast Guard credentials and certifications.
The boat was named Stimulus Money. There were 13 passengers on board when the boat flipped. Officials say the men were steering the boat too fast in high winds. They say the men violated federal regulations and disregarded safety protocols. Officials also say the boat was overloaded with too many passengers.
The victims drowned after being trapped underneath the vessel. Both Cruz and Pinilla-Gomez are charged with one count of misconduct and neglect of a ship officer resulting in death.
