ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) — Pinellas County’s transit authority on Wednesday settled more than three dozen claims from passengers who were injured when a private vessel collided with the Clearwater Ferry last year.
The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority approved the $300,000 settlement with 37 passengers without discussion during its board meeting. The measure was part of its consent agenda and came with a full recommendation from PSTA’s finance committee.
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According to the meeting agenda, PSTA has garnered over $200,000 in legal costs, and the total costs would reach $500,000, including the settlement.
Fourty eight passengers were on board the ferry when a boat, driven by businessman and Jannus Live owner Jeff Knight, crashed into the back of the vessel in April 2025. One man was killed in the collision.
The ferry operator, Dennis Kimerer, was originally charged because the vessel’s rear light was out. It was reduced to a noncriminal infraction earlier this year, and he pleaded guilty and received a $500 fine…