Florida CEO Killed in Hit-and-Run Boat Crash as Teen Son Watches

Authorities search for dark blue vessel that fled the scene after striking the father and son's dinghy in Biscayne Bay

Mar. 28, 2026 at 1:21am

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A 45-year-old Florida CEO was killed and his 14-year-old son was injured in a hit-and-run boat crash in Biscayne Bay on Wednesday night. The father and son were aboard a small dinghy when a larger boat struck them, ejecting both into the water. The father, Davide Veglia, died from his injuries, while the son suffered a broken arm. The boat that hit them fled the scene and is described as a dark blue vessel around 20-30 feet long with two outboard motors, last seen heading north.

Why it matters

Boating safety and hit-and-run incidents on the water are growing concerns, especially in popular recreational areas like Biscayne Bay. This tragedy highlights the need for increased enforcement, education, and safety measures to prevent such senseless accidents and hold perpetrators accountable.

The details

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), the crash happened around 8:30 p.m. in the Meloy Channel, near Indian Creek and Biscayne Pointe off Miami Beach. The father and son were aboard a small, 7-foot dinghy when a larger boat struck them, ejecting both into the water. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue crews recovered the victims and transported them to a nearby hospital, where the father was pronounced dead. The son, 14 years old, suffered a broken arm and was taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital's Ryder Trauma Center.

  • The crash occurred around 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 25, 2026.
  • The father, Davide Veglia, died from his injuries.

The players

Davide Veglia

A 45-year-old Florida CEO who was killed in the hit-and-run boat crash.

Enzo Avelino and Samuel Londoño

Miami Beach high school students who were doing landscape work nearby and heard the son's cries for help.

Pascile Padiou

A neighbor who lives near the scene and was heartbroken to hear about the tragic incident.

Larry Scheiger

A South Florida resident who saw the dinghy that night and noticed it didn't have any lights on, warning that boating at night can be very dangerous.

George Reynaud

An FWC officer who is asking anyone with information about the incident or the boat that fled the scene to come forward.

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What they’re saying

“You could hear his voice like cracking, he was yelling so loud. He started saying, 'Help, help, help.'”

— Enzo Avelino, Miami Beach high school student

“It's devastating. You think about your family, you think that you are going boating with your son, it's fun, it's nice, and that's a terrible accident, the most terrible thing is that it's a hit-and-run. I mean, that's horrible.”

— Pascile Padiou, Neighbor

“People need to be very careful when they are boating at night, it's very dangerous out here, especially with a small boat. It's very tragic. I have a young son whom I bought the little boat for, and safety is all I ever taught Finn. You gotta be safe, safe, safe, and not drive around at night. Always come home before dark.”

— Larry Scheiger, South Florida resident

What’s next

FWC Officer George Reynaud asked anyone who witnessed the incident or may have video to come forward. Anyone with information is urged to call the Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-3922 or the Miami Beach Police Department at 305-673-7900.

The takeaway

This tragic hit-and-run boating accident underscores the importance of boating safety, proper lighting, and responsible operation, especially at night. It also highlights the need for stricter enforcement and harsher penalties to deter such reckless behavior and hold perpetrators accountable when they flee the scene of a crash.