Man, 32, faces charges in fatal Miami Beach boat collision

Man arrested in crash killing Diego Becerra in Miami Beach

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – Officers arrested a 32-year-old man Friday accusing him of boating under the influence when he was involved in a crash that left 28-year-old Diego Becerra dead.

According to Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, Brian K. Hodges fled after his 23-foot Baja Ski Boat crashed with a 27-foot SeaVee Open Fisherman on Tuesday night on Biscayne Bay.

Diego Becerra, 28, died doing what he loved most, relatives said Friday. (Local 10 News Share)

FWC Officer Ronald Washington said Becerra, who was in the SeaVee, was ejected into the water and Hodges didn’t stop to help. A woman who was with Hodges was also injured.

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department divers found Becerra in the water and Miami Beach Fire Rescue personnel took him to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center.

FWC investigates Biscayne Bay boat collision

Hodges had pending charges on a Feb. 28, 2019 boating incident when he allegedly fled after the crash Tuesday to the Flamingo Condominium in South Beach.

Officers booked Hodges about 4:40 p.m. Friday at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, according to the Miami-Dade County Corrections and Rehabilitation Department records.

Man ejected after 2 boats collide near Miami Beach

Hodges’ pending charges in the 2019 incident include driving under the influence while causing injury to another person and three counts of DUI with property damage.

After the Tuesday crash, Hodges is also facing charges of boating under the influence, manslaughter, fail to give aid, leaving the scene of a boating accident with property damage, and vessel homicide.

Miami-Dade County Court records show Hodges was charged with possession of a controlled substance in 2016 and 2019, but both charges were dropped.

Local 10 News Assignment Desk Editor Wilson Louis contributed to this report.


About the Authors
Janine Stanwood headshot

Janine Stanwood joined Local 10 News in February 2004 as an assignment editor. She is now a general assignment reporter. Before moving to South Florida from her Washington home, Janine was the senior legislative correspondent for a United States senator on Capitol Hill.

Andrea Torres headshot

The Emmy Award-winning journalist joined the Local 10 News team in 2013. She wrote for the Miami Herald for more than 9 years and won a Green Eyeshade Award.

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