Pitbulls vodka brand and DJ Laz involved in fatal accident
Pitbull’s vodka brand Voli Spirits was was involved in the fatal boat accident that took the life of one man in Miami, Fla. on Sunday evening.…
Pitbull’s vodka brand Voli Spirits promotional boat caused the death of one Miami resident on Sunday May 4th. DJ Laz, popular radio host and friend of Pitbull, was behind the wheel. (Photo: Twitter/@TheRealDJLaz)
Pitbull’s vodka brand Voli Spirits was was involved in the fatal boat accident that took the life of one man in Miami, Fla. on Sunday evening.
The man behind the wheel of the boat that was promoting Pitbull’s vodka brand was popular local radio host Lazaro Mendez, better known as DJ Laz, who has entertained South Floridians for decades.
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The radio personality, who has a trajectory of nearly 25-years, was pumped for the boat outing by sharing his excitement on his official Twitter account.
Top: People help move Voli Vodka’s promotional boat from sandbar in Key Biscayne, Fla. on Sunday May 4th. Bottom: Ernesto Hernandez, 23, was fatally struck by propellers, police said. (Photo: Twitter/@JaimeNBC6)
“Today come out to Nixxon Sandbar and party with @volispirits @plantationboatmart @wetsounds free stuff see u today Miami #party #boats #voli #pitbull #miamishit,” he wrote at around 8 a.m. on May 4th.
Around 7 p.m., the boat that DJ Laz was steering got stuck on a sandbar at Nixon Beach in Key Biscayne, Fla.
Several people did not want to wait until high tide at 1:30 a.m., and therefore began to push the boat, authorities report.
Unfortunately, Ernesto Hernandez, 23, who was assisting, was fatally struck by the boat’s spinning propellers, according to authorities.
He ended up, we dont know why, in the rear of the vessel and one of the engines actually caught his body, his torso, causing him to suffer some very severe injures, said Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission spokesman officer Jorge Pino, according to CBS Miami.
One witness told CBS Miami that law enforcement boats rushed to the scene moments before putting the victim in a helicopter.
Hernandez, who attended Miami-Dade College and worked at Executive Protection, was airlifted to Jackson Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
DJ Laz distraught with incident
DJ Laz, who has over 23,000 followers on Twitter and 11,000 on Facebook, made a statement Monday on social media regarding the mishap.
I am incredibly distraught over the unfortunate accident that occurred yesterday at Nixon Beach. My family and I send our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Ernesto Hernandez; they are in our thoughts and prayers. I have and will continue to cooperate fully with investigators during this tragic time.”
In Florida, boaters are allowed to drink alcohol, except for a boat’s captain.
Our investigators are going to look at whether alcohol played a role, carelessness, recklessness. All those things will be looked into to see if we should press charges against the operator of the vessel, said Pino.
No statement on behalf of Pitbull or the vodka brand has been made.
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