MIAMI — Yusiel Lopez appeared in federal court on Friday in Downtown Miami, and he pleaded not guilty to a charge of seaman’s manslaughter.
Lopez, 46, was the captain of the 25-foot “Wood Chuck” tugboat that was involved in a fatal crash on July 28, 2025, in Biscayne Bay.
“We intend to accept responsibility for his conduct, and out of respect for the victims’ families and the pending court process at this time, we are not going to have any other comments,” Attorney Walter A. Reynoso, who was representing Lopez, said on Friday.
The collision killed 7-year-old Mila Yankelevich, 10-year-old Arielle Buchman, and 13-year-old Erin Ko Han, who were in a Hobie Getaway sailboat, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.
U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida announced the case against Lopez on Tuesday. Investigators accused Lopez of getting distracted with his phone while shopping online when he struck the Miami Yacht Club sailboat.
Mila, Arielle, and Erin were sailing with 7-year-old Calena Areyan Gruber, another girl, and their 19-year-old Miami Yacht Club sailboat camp counselor, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.
A judge set Lopez’s bond at $1,000. He faces up to 10 years in federal prison if convicted.
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