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Airboat operator charged with BUI after flipping vessel near Everglades City

Posted at 7:12 AM, Dec 14, 2017
and last updated 2017-12-14 12:40:18-05

Fish and Wildlife Officers arrested a Collier County man after he flipped his airboat Tuesday, injuring a 7-year-old boy.

According to a police report, the Capt. Andrew Licciardi crashed his airboat near Panther Creek and Everglade City.

Another passenger on board told investigators Licciardi, "repeatedly bragged about breaking the rules set by the airboat company's manager on speed."

The report also says Licciardi told the occupants of the airboat not to use life vests and instead "hold onto the mangroves."

An employee at Captain Jack's airboat tours told WFTX-TV that Licciardi works there.

Licciardi bonded out of jail on a charge of boating under the influence, although a breathalyzer test came back inconclusive.

The status of the injured child is unknown at this time.