Thursday, November 5, 2015

Miami Radio: DJ Laz Takes Plea Deal In Fatal Boating Accident

Victim highlighted
South Florida radio personality Lazaro Mendez, better known as DJ Laz, accepted a plea deal in the case of a boating accident that killed a man off Key Biscayne last May, according to WSVN-TV.

In June, no criminal charges were filed against Mendez after prosecutors agreed that there was no evidence that he was under the influence at the time of the incident or that he acted recklessly. However, he was cited for careless driving resulting in a death.

Back on May 4, Mendez, who is host of a monrning show on Cox Media Groups Top40 WZMX 93.7 FM,  was at the helm of a 42-foot vessel when it got stuck on a sandbar on Nixon Beach. Hernandez jumped in the water, along with others, to help push the boat when he was fatally struck by the propellers.

Investigators later found multiple liquor bottles on the boat, along with cocaine residue on a ripped dollar bill, but there was no evidence that Mendez was under the influence.

The family of the deceased, 23-year-old Ernesto Hernandez, appeared in court Wednesday, and they did not have kind words for Mendez, who did not appear in court.

Emotions ran high in the courtroom for the victim's family, but the judge gave Mendez a citation for the ordeal. "There was no navigational rule that was violated," the judge said. "The state's hands are tied, and they cannot file criminal charges."

As part of the plea deal, Mendez must pay a $500 penalty, $1,000 to a donation and perform 120 hours of community service. He will also be required to attend a boating safety course.

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