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Cocaine residue found on DJ Laz's boat after man killed by propeller, report states

FWC: DJ Laz showed no signs of impairment

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MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – A small amount of cocaine residue was found on a boat operated by DJ Laz the day after a man was killed while trying to help the radio host get his boat off the Nixon Beach sandbar last year, a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission report states.

Investigators said several ripped up dollar bills contained white residue, which tested positive for cocaine.

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Laz, whose real name is Lazaro Mendez, was not criminally charged in the incident, but received a $90 citation for operating a vessel recklessly.

"There was no other evidence that could support any other charge," FWC spokesman Jorge Pino said.

Ernesto Hernandez, 23, was killed after a propeller on the Voli vodka party boat sliced his upper body.

Authorities said toxicology tests showed that Hernandez had been drinking the night of the accident. Mendez refused to submit to any intoxication tests and Pino said officers did not see any signs of impairment and therefore could not force him to submit to any tests.

"Was he drinking? I don't know. Was he doing other things? We don't know. We can just go on the physical evidence that was present at the time," Pino said.

Hernandez's family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Mendez.

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About the Author
Amanda Batchelor headshot

Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com.

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