Captain of boat that capsized on Hudson River, killing family members, pleads guilty

The captain of the boat that capsized in the Hudson River, killing a woman and a child, has pleaded guilty.

Prosecutors said the ship had too many people on board and was going too fast when it overturned near the Intrepid in 2022.

Julian Vasquez, 7, and Lindelia Vazquez, 47, were trapped under the boat and drowned.

The deceased victims were part of a group of family members who boarded the jet boat named Stimulus Money in Elizabeth, New Jersey, for a trip down the Hudson River.

Julian Vasquez was visiting from Florida and Lindelia Vazquez was visiting from Colombia.

Ten other family members, ranging in age from 19 to 53 and all from Florida or Colombia, were injured, as was the boat’s 24-year-old licensed captain from Elizabeth.

Richard Cruz pleaded guilty to professional misconduct and negligence.

He faces up to ten years in prison and is expected to be sentenced in January.

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