Investigators say a 13-foot Boston Whaler that struck a Fort Lauderdale bridge, but the boat didn’t belong to anyone on board. The identity of the one teen killed in the crash has been confirmed to be 17-year-old John M. Baker.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission spokeswoman Liz Barraco confirmed Baker’s identity, and also said that three of the other teenagers are in critical condition at Fort Lauderdale Hospital.
Michael Cooper, who lives near the crash scene, says he heard a “tremendous smack” outside as he was getting ready for bed. He says the boat crashed into pilings under the bridge.
The boat crashed into pilings as the teens were on a late-night ride Wednesday evening. Five boys and one girl were on board when it crashed in a spot where the river flows through a residential neighborhood.
