PINELLAS CO., Fla. — Jeff Knight appeared in a Pinellas County courtroom Monday for a pretrial hearing in connection with an April 2025 crash involving the Clearwater Ferry.
Knight was arrested on July 28, 2025, and charged with eight felony counts of leaving the scene of a boating crash that killed one person and injured multiple people, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).
According to court records, he is also facing 16 misdemeanor charges related to speed and not keeping a lookout.
Knight's attorney entered a not guilty plea in a court filing from Aug. 1.
Knight owned several businesses in downtown St. Petersburg, including Jannus Live. Knight stepped down from his position with Jannus Live days after the crash.
Tampa Bay 28 was inside the courtroom on Monday. The Judge set the trial date for three weeks in October.
The next pretrial hearing is on May 4.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE
- Jeff Knight enters plea of not guilty in Clearwater ferry crash: Court documents
- Family of victim reacts to arrest made in Clearwater Ferry crash
- Timeline: Events that led to the arrest of Jeff Knight after fatal ferry crash
- Jeff Knight arrested after 3-month FWC investigation into deadly Clearwater ferry crash
- Victim who was killed in boat collision near Memorial Causeway bridge has been identified
This is a developing story. Tampa Bay 28 will provide more details as they become available.
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