Charlotte County man killed in weekend boating accident

PLACIDA, Fla. – While officials investigate a fatal boating crash, the girlfriend of a 23-year-old man killed in the wreck suspects his death could have been prevented.

Dylan Gonzalez was coming home from a fishing trip with a friend Sunday around 5 a.m. when, according to Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, a 20-foot boat hit them near the Placida Harbour.

Gonzales was taken to Blake Hospital in Brandenton in a helicopter while his friend, 29-year-old William Pfannkuch, and and one other person in the other vessel were sent to local hospitals.

The boater’s longtime girlfriend said she is devastated by his death.

“He was a great guy,” Linsey Peyton said. “He was the love of my life and I planned on spending forever with him.”

The cause of the crash is under investigation. But Peyton said boaters on the water told her the 20-foot boat did not have lights on.

“They weren’t running with any lights on so you couldn’t see them and you couldn’t hear them until they were already on top of you,” she said.

Those closest to Gonzalez said they are finding comfort knowing he died doing what he loved.

The investigation into the crash is ongoing. No charges have been filed.