Cape Coral to discuss boating under the influence crash near Tarpon Point

Reporter: Jolena Esperto Writer: Matthew Seaver
Published: Updated:
boat damage
Photos of the damage done to the two boats in Cape Coral on May 6, 2022. (Credit: FWC)

The Cape Coral Waterway Advisory Board is set to discuss a boat crash in May that resulted in a man being arrested for boating under the influence.

Eric Roberts
Eric Roberts, 34. (Credit: Lee County Sheriff’s office)

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 34-year-old Eric Roberts was arrested after two boats collided at the entrance to a canal near Tarpon Point in Cape Coral on May 6.

Location of May 6, 2022 boat crash. (Credit Google and FWC)

Based on an accident report from FWC, Roberts was traveling into the canal at a speed of 25 to 30 miles per hour when he took a blind corner and hit the back of a boat that was also headed into the canal. They say the canal was calm and the weather was good.

FWC said Robert’s boat ramped up onto the back of the other boat and was prevented from completely crossing over the top because of the T-top on the other boat that stopped Robert’s boat’s momentum.

Photo of the damage done to the boat in Cape Coral on May 6, 2022. (Credit: FWC)
Photo of the damage done to the boat in Cape Coral on May 6, 2022. (Credit: FWC)

Officers with FWC said Robert’s boat had two people on board, and the boat he hit had six people. They say one person on the boat that was hit was hurt.

Armando Diferdinando recalls his boating day on May 6th.

“We were going to anchor and have a great day on Sanibel and then come back for a nice dinner at their house. And it was a gorgeous day,” said Diferdinando.

That is until another boat crashed into his.

“It was horrific. And when I got up and turned around, I heard Pete yelling,” said Diferdinando.

Pete is the owner of the boat in which Diferdinando was riding. Cape Coral’s waterway advisory board plans to discuss the boating crash during its meeting Thursday.

A city spokesperson said boating safety is an important topic to the board. Diferdinando hopes the crash prompts change.

“If somebody was would have been in that stern of that boat. Somebody would have been a lot more seriously injured if not died,” Diferdinando said.

Florida Fish and Wildlife says the driver responsible for the crash was drunk. He now faces charges.

“There is no winner in this situation. Pete still doesn’t have a boat. How a beautiful great great day on Sanibel Island, having a blast with our friends can in an instant turn be your worst day in the boat ever in my life,” said Diferdinando.

Diferdinando said that despite the trouble on the water, he still plans on enjoying his new Florida home and will not shy away from boat rides.

Roberts was given a field sobriety test, and officers said the results showed he was too impaired to be driving a boat. He was charged with boating under the influence and released on a $1,500 bond.

The Cape Coral Waterway Advisory Board is planning on discussing the crash during their meeting on Thursday.

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