MIAMI BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) - As authorities continue their search for the boater behind a hit-and-run in Biscayne Bay that left a father dead and his teenage son badly hurt, a devastated community is paying tribute to the deceased victim online.
Fifty-five-year-old Davide Veglia was memorialized on social media after, authorities said, the husband and father was killed on the water Wednesday night in what they described as a hit-and-run.
Italian soccer club Cesena FC mourned Veglia, calling him their honorary president and said he was deeply involved in supporting the team. In a statement, the club said “We have lost a friend, a person of extraordinary humanity and kindness, and a part of our family.”
State investigators on Friday released new video of the boat believed to have fled the scene of the crash heading northbound on Wednesday evening. On Thursday, they released photos of the boat.
The vessel in question is described as a 40′-43′ Formula either an Allsport or Supersport model with quad Mercury L6 Verados, and two-tone cowling paint. It has colored sides, a white hull, and black bottom paint.
The vessel in the newly released images appears to have four outboard motors.
The tragic accident happened between Indian Creek and Biscayne Point Circle, off Miami Beach, at around 8 p.m. on Wednesday.
Enzo Avelino and Samuel Londono, two teens who were working in the area, said they heard screams.
“We hear like, ‘Help, help, help,’ so that’s when I run to the dock with them, and I see like a silhouette or like a shadow or something, and we make it up with like, ‘Oh, that’s someone, they need help,'” said Avelino.
The screams came from the 14-year-old boy who, invvestigators said, was injured in the crash.
First responders said he and his father, Veglia, were both in a seven-foot inflatable dinghy when they were struck by the much larger boat.
Moments later, authorities said, the operator of the boat took off.
“We instantly called the cops, let them know everything. They came in like two minutes, it was really fast,” said Londono. “The dad was unconscious when they got him and brought him back.”
The boy remains at Jackson Memorial Hospital with a broken arm, but his father did not survive.
“It’s so horrible. I could never imagine someone doing that to someone and just running away and thinking they’re gonna get away with it. That’s messed up,” said Avelino.
If you have any information on this hit-and-run or the subject’s whereabouts, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward of up to $5,000.
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