Speedboat Operator Charged After Capsizing Kills Mother and Infant in New York Harbor

A 22-foot Bayliner speedboat capsized near Liberty Island in New York Harbor on Saturday, August 9, 2026, around 10:25 p.m., resulting in the deaths of Sara Sanchez, 27, of Queens, and her 5-month-old daughter, Antonella Garcia. Twelve other passengers were rescued from the water by emergency responders and a nearby commercial vessel called Sea the City, and were taken to hospitals with minor injuries, all in stable condition.

Manuel Hernandez, 46, of Manhattan, the boat's operator, was arrested and charged with 13 counts of reckless endangerment on Sunday. He was moved into federal custody and is due to appear in federal court in Manhattan on Monday, where additional federal charges are expected to be filed. Authorities have not yet publicly disclosed the specific federal charges.

The incident prompted a large search and rescue operation involving the NYPD, FDNY Harbor units, scuba divers, aviation units, the U.S. Coast Guard, and four fire department boats, two police boats, and a police helicopter. Police divers located Sanchez and Garcia in the water after 12 other passengers had already been rescued. Both victims were transported to hospitals where they were pronounced dead.

The U.S. Coast Guard and NYPD are investigating whether the vessel was operating as an illegal charter—defined as a passenger-for-hire operation lacking required Coast Guard credentials, safety equipment, and inspection certificates. The investigation remains ongoing. According to witness accounts and reports, the boat was carrying church friends celebrating a birthday. Sanchez's husband, who was also on the boat and survived, works at Il Punto restaurant in Manhattan, which has initiated a crowdfunding campaign to support the family. The couple also has a six-year-old son who was not on the boat at the time of the incident.