Boater Faces Manslaughter Charge For Girl's Death: State Attorney

BLOOMINGDALE — RIVERVIEW, FL — Charges have been filed against a 40-year-old man who is accused of driving a boat intoxicated during a May crash on the Alafia River that killed a 12-year-old girl, the Hillsborough State Attorney's Office said.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Hillsborough State Attorney's Office said the suspect, Andrew Joseph Miltner, faces boating under the influence manslaughter and vessel homicide charges.

The victim, Jasina Campbell, 12, and another person were riding on a tube May 17 that was pulled by another boat when Miltner's boat collided with Campbell, investigators said. FWC, Hillsborough County Fire Rescue and the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office searched for the girl. A dive team eventually found her body.

The other person in the tube was taken to the hospital with injuries, detectives said.

“This is every parents’ worst nightmare. It’s our job to protect the community, and we intend to make sure this person can’t do this again,” Hillsborough State Attorney Andrew Warren said. “Everyone who’s planning to spend time on the water around the holidays needs to hear this—boating while intoxicated and recklessly putting lives in danger won’t be tolerated in our community.”

The investigation revealed that Miltner's consumption of alcohol, reckless operation of a boat and an accelerated speed in a posted idle speed zone and failure to avoid collision with the inner tube caused the death of Campbell, an FWC news release said.

“Tragedies like this are avoidable by simply not operating a watercraft while impaired," Maj. Roger Young, FWC regional commander said. "Jasina Campbell should be celebrating the holidays with her family and, sadly, she is not because of a poor decision Mr. Miltner made. If you boat under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you are endangering your life and the lives of others, and you will be arrested.”

In 2019, 32 percent of boating fatalities in Florida were determined to be alcohol or drug related, according to the FWC.

To report people who are operating boats dangerously or while impaired, call 1-888-404-FWCC (3922) or text Tip@MyFWC.com.