Celebration of life for man killed in boat crash with Fisher Island Ferry to be held this weekend

MIAMI – The family of Cristian Fernandez is opening up to Local 10 News ahead of a planned celebration of life expected to take place this weekend.

Fernandez, 27, of Cutler Bay, was killed, while Angel Dominguez, 29, of Hialeah, was seriously hurt when their vessel collided with the Fisher Island Ferry near PortMiami just before 3:40 a.m.

The case is still under investigation as the surviving victim and operator of the boat recovers at the hospital.

Relatives say Fernandez and Angel Dominguez were friends for years. The families are also very close and they’re praying for a swift recovery.

“I just want my brother’s friend to be ok because I know that if my brother was here it would be his top priority,” said Fernandez’s sister, Rocio.

Fernandez’s mother and sister said people have been reaching out from all around the world who were impacted by Cristian’s life.

He was a passionate animal advocate, rescuing strays and working with animals on the side. He was also known by family and friends as a man who would go out of his way to help others as best as he knew how.

“He always wanted a family,” said his mother, Rossana Garcia in Spanish. “He said one day he would buy a lot of land and put a house in the middle for all the animals he wanted to take care of.”

The family is planning a moving memorial on July 2, starting at 5 pm at Caballero Rivero, located at 7355 S.W. 117 Ave.

It will remain open overnight for whoever would like to join them. The service itself will begin around 6:15 p.m. and they are asking attendees to come in some form of white attire as a celebration of how much of a great person Cristian was to everyone.

The family would also appreciate it if attendees shared pictures they might have with Cristian.

Family members have set up fundraising accounts to help with expenses, which you find in the tweet below.