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MARATHON, Fla. — The captain of a boat involved in a parasailing crash in Florida that killed a mother on Memorial Day in 2022 is now facing a federal charge.
Daniel Gavin Couch, 52, who was allegedly at the helm of the boat involved in the crash, has been charged with one count of seaman’s manslaughter, according to an indictment returned by a federal grand jury this week.
The crash, which unfolded around 5 p.m. on Monday, May 30, 2022, near Marathon, Florida, claimed the life of 33-year-old Supraja Alaparthi and left her then-10-year-old son and 9-year-old nephew injured.
The incident unfolded while the victims, who were together visiting the Florida Keys, were parasailing while attached to the boat being operated by Couch.
Prosecutors said that as the boat navigated on the water, bad weather rolled in, including strong winds.
This screenshot made from a video released by the Alaparthi Family shows Supraja Alaparthi, 33, center, with her son and nephew as they parasail in the Florida Keys in June 2022. Alaparthi was killed after being dragged across the water while strapped into the parasail and slamming into a bridge. Attorneys representing the family have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the captain, a crew member and a Florida resort company that owns the marina where the boat was based. (Alaparthi Family via AP) This photo released by the Alaparthi Family shows Supraja Alaparthi, 33, center, with her son and nephew as they prepare to parasail in the Florida Keys in June 2022. Alaparthi was killed after being dragged across the water while strapped into the parasail and slamming into a bridge. Attorneys representing the family have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the captain, a crew member and a Florida resort company that owns the marina where the boat was based. (Alaparthi Family via AP)
As the vessel approached the Old Seven Mile Bridge near Marathon, Florida, the parasail crashed into the bridge.
Supraja Alaparthi was pronounced dead at the scene.
An investigation into the crash by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission indicated that the boat captain cut the line holding Alaparthi and the two boys because the parasail was “dragging” in high winds from the sudden summer storm.
According to the latest indictment, prosecutors say Couch engaged in misconduct, negligence, or inattention to his duties as captain, which resulted in the death of a passenger when he allegedly cut the cable.
This undated photo provided by the Alaparthi Family shows Supraja Alaparthi, center right, and her family. Attorneys representing the family have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the captain, a crew member and a Florida resort company that owns the marina where the boat was based. (Alaparthi Family via AP) This undated photo provided by the Alaparthi Family shows Supraja Alaparthi, left, and her daughter. Attorneys representing the family have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the captain, a crew member and a Florida resort company that owns the marina where the boat was based. (Alaparthi Family via AP)
Shortly after the incident, family members of the victims filed a wrongful death and two personal injury lawsuits. A second lawsuit against the captain, a crew member and a Florida resort company that owned the marina where the boat was based was filed about year later.
If convicted, Couch could face up to 10 years in federal prison.
“It was clearly unsafe…he did it anyway”
Florida Civil Attorney Pedro Echarte, who represents the Alaparthi family, said Tuesday that Couch crossed the line.
“It was clearly unsafe for him to put them up there. And he did it anyway,” Echarte said. “I think this captain’s behavior goes beyond just negligence, which is why he’s being charged federally.”
Alaparthi’s young son still deals with trauma, Echarte added.
“He witnessed his mother die,” he said.
One of the family’s main objectives, Echarte said, is a call to action for better training and safety regulations to ensure the unfortunate events of May 30, 2022, never occur again.
