Miami Tugboat Captain Gets 18 Months for Crash That Killed 3 Children

2 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Oct 13

Yusiel Lopez Insua, 47, was sentenced to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in July to seaman’s manslaughter in the 2025 Miami Beach crash.
Prosecutors said his 25-foot tug was pushing a barge across Biscayne Bay when it struck a stalled sailboat carrying five girls and a 19-year-old camp counselor from a sailing camp.
Three girls — Mila Yankelevich, 7, Erin Ko, 13, and Arielle Buchman, 10 — died; the counselor and two other children survived after being dragged beneath the barge.
Judge Jacqueline Becerra imposed a longer term than the jointly recommended 12 months and one day plus six months of home detention, though Insua had faced up to 10 years.
Prosecutors said Insua’s forward view was obstructed, no lookout had been assigned, and forensic analysis found internet activity on his phone around the time of the collision.