TRIBUTES have been paid to a 17-year-old girl who was killed in a boat crash in the Florida Keys.
The 14 passengers on the boat were thrown into the water during the Sunday night crash after the vessel hit an Intracoastal channel marker and capsized.
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Lucia Fernandez died from her injuries, and four teen girls were taken to Miami-Dade county hospitals for their extensive injuries.
Schoolmates of the victims on board say they are praying for their deceased classmate and injured peers.
As of Tuesday, Isabella Rodriguez, 17, Katerina Sofia Puig, 16, and Coco Aguilar, 17, are still recovering in medical facilities.
Lucia is dearly missed by her school community, which held a vigil on Monday "to pray for the repose of her soul," according to a statement made by Our Lady of Lourdes Academy.
"Known for her smile, larger-than-life personality, and signature laugh, Lucy was a joy to all who knew her and a shining light at our school," they said in the statement.
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Sister Carmen Fernandez, who works at the school, said to NBC6: "Our main focus is to tend to the needs spiritual, emotional, and mental needs of our students and faculty and staff who all loved Lucy and are still very concerned about Katy and Coco,"
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue stated that three people were critically injured in the crash, while seven experienced minor injuries, according to the outlet.
Neighboring boat passengers and fire-rescue teams grabbed the victims from the water and brought them ashore on the Miami, Florida beach, The Miami Herald reported.
George Ignacio Pino, 52, president of State Street Realty, and his wife, Cecilia, 47, an executive at the company, were also among the injured.
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George had allegedly been driving the 29-foot Robalo boat at 6.30pm during the accident.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, primary investigators in the crash, ruled against it being alcohol-related.
Multiple people who know those on the boat reportedly stated the passengers told them a bigger boat was headed toward theirs right before the crash, The Herald stated.
FWC spokesperson Arielle Callender said: "As this is an active investigation, this is the only information I have at this point."
A report of the crash allegedly states that arrests of any suspects responsible are "pending."
George has been in the real estate business for more than 25 years according to the outlet.
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An active community member, George worked to help students and serve meals through the Fort Lauderdale and Miami Ronald McDonald houses, in addition to acting as a mentor for Christopher Columbus High School students and other charity-based activities.
The investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing.
