Lawsuit filed against DJ Laz in boating accident that killed man

Authorities say DJ Laz was steering boat when man killed by boat propeller

CORAL GABLES, Fla. ā€“ A lawsuit has been filed against DJ Laz in a boating accident that killed a 23-year-old man last weekend.

The lawsuit was filed by the family of Ernesto Hernandez, who was killed by a boat's propeller.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers said DJ Laz, whose real name is Lazaro Mendez, was steering the boat when it became stuck on a sandbar near Key Biscayne. Hernandez tried to help push the boat when his torso was caught in one of the boat's engines.

The lawsuit seeks in excess of $15,000 in damages.

"We want some questions answered of how an experienced captain on a ship had his motors full throttle ahead and asking young people to push his boat off a sandbar and (cost) this innocent boy's life," Carlos Silva, an attorney for Hernandez's mother, said at a news conference Friday afternoon.

Silva claims DJ Laz's negligence led to Hernandez's death.

"If you're an experienced captain, if you know how to drive a boat, you don't have somebody -- people -- pushing your boat and you're revving the engines because you know somebody can get hurt," Silva said.

According to five officers at the scene, DJ Laz declined sobriety tests and displayed no indication he was impaired. They were bound by Florida law much less restrictive for boaters than for drivers.

"There's not enough regulations," Silva said, adding that he'd like to create a law named after Hernandez to prevent future boating deaths.


About the Author:

Glenna Milberg joined Local 10 News in September 1999 to report on South Florida's top stories and community issues. She also serves as co-host on Local 10's public affairs broadcast, "This Week in South Florida."