Manuel Hernandez, 46, the driver of a speedboat that capsized in New York Harbor late Saturday, August 8th, 2026, was charged on Monday, August 10th, with causing the deaths of 27-year-old Sara Sanchez and her five-month-old daughter, Antonella Garcia, through misconduct or neglect.

The 22-foot Yamaha speedboat overturned near the Statue of Liberty, resulting in the deaths of Sanchez and her infant. Twelve other passengers were rescued and are reported to be in stable condition. The vessel was recovered and taken to the New York Police Department’s harbor unit facility on Randall’s Island.

Hernandez appeared in Manhattan federal court, where he wiped his eyes upon arrival. He was not required to enter a plea and was released on bail. Prosecutors confirmed that Hernandez will face trial in federal court rather than state court, following initial state charges filed over the weekend.

A GoFundMe campaign launched on Sunday to assist Andres Garcia, Sanchez’s partner, with funeral and related expenses had raised over $25,000 by Monday afternoon. Antonio Russo, general manager at Il Punto Ristorante where Garcia works, described him as an “amazing guy” who works long hours as a waiter, driver, and food-runner to support his family both locally and in Colombia.

Diego Naranjo, a neighbor of Sanchez in Queens, recalled first meeting her last spring when her son threw a ball into their backyard.

Sources