A tragic incident occurred on Miami’s Biscayne Bay, resulting in the death of a Florida CEO and serious injuries to his teenage son following a hit-and-run boating accident.
Davide Veglia, aged 55, and his 14-year-old son were on a seven-foot inflatable dinghy in Meloy Channel near Miami Beach when a significantly larger boat collided with them around 8:30 PM on Wednesday.
The impact of the crash threw both Veglias into the water while the other vessel sped away from the scene, as reported by CBS Miami.
Two teenagers, both 16-year-old students from Miami Beach Senior High School, witnessed the harrowing collision while working nearby.
“We immediately called the police to report what happened,” shared Enzo Avelino, one of the witnesses, with WSVN. “I told him to float until help arrived, and he managed to stay afloat with his dad, holding onto him.”
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) informed the Daily Mail that they are seeking a Formula Boat, estimated to be between 40 and 43 feet long, equipped with quad Mercury L6 Verados, featuring two-tone cowling paint and a white hull.
It was last seen between 7.30pm and 8.30pm Wednesday, heading north from the Meloy Channel from 79th Street Causeway to Broad Causeway.
Father and son were rushed to Jackson Memorial Hospital but Veglia, the president and founder of ABTS Convention Services, died from the injuries.
Davide Veglia, 55, died after being involved in a boating hit-and-run while out with his 14-year-old son in Biscayne Bay on Wednesday night
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has released photos of the boat believed to be involved in the hit-and-run
The vessel, which was described as being between 40 and 43 feet long, was last spotted between 7.30pm and 8.30pm on Wednesday
Veglia’s 14-year-old son was still in the hospital, CBS Miami reported. He suffered a broken arm, according to investigators.
Avelino described the aftermath of the crash as ‘really bad,’ describing how the son’s screams had alerted him to the crash.
‘The boy was holding his wrist and was like cuddled up into the stretcher,’ Avelino told the outlet.
He added that Veglia was ‘foaming at the mouth’ and ‘strapped down with an oxygen mask.’
The Miami Beach Fire Department responded to the hit-and-run and first responders rescued father and son from the water before rushing them to the hospital.
The FWC, which is investigating the hit-and-run, has released images of the boat believed to be involved.
Officers from the FWC were also seen at the hospital father and son were taken to on Wednesday night.
‘We extend our deepest sympathies to the family and loved ones that are affected by this,’ FWC officer George Reynaud said.
Veglia lived in a four-bedroom North Miami home valued at nearly $3million.
Veglia and his son were rescued from the water by the Miami Beach Fire Department and later rushed to the hospital, but he succumbed to his injuries
As of Friday no arrests had been made in connection to the hit-and-run that killed Veglia and injured his son
Veglia posted snapshots of himself with his family last summer on a public social media profile
The FWC is still investigating the crash. No arrests had been made, as of Friday morning.
A local in the Biscayne Bay area said he saw the Veglias’ dinghy operate without any lights on.
‘People need to be very careful when they are boating at night,’ Larry Scheiger told Local10. ‘It’s very dangerous out here, especially with a small boat.’
‘I have a young son who I bought the little boat for and safety is all I ever taught [him],’ he added. ‘You gotta be safe, safe, safe, and not driving around at night.’
Pascile Padiou, who lives nearby, said the hit-and-run was ‘devastating.’
You think that you are going boating with your son, it’s fun, it’s nice and that’s a terrible accident,’ Padiou told the outlet.
She added that the tragedy specifically being a hit-and-run was ‘horrible.’
The hit-and-run, which is still being investigated, happened in the Meloy Channel off Miami Beach around 8.30pm Wednesday
Veglia, the founder of ABTS Convention Services in North Bay Village, lives in a four-bedroom North Miami home valued at almost $3m
Veglia’s friend Joao Moraes said he was in ‘shock’ at his death, having spoken to him Wednesday and being scheduled for a lunch together Friday.
‘I sat down all day and cried because I lost the best person in my life,’ Moraes told NBC Miami.
‘I can’t stand [that] God took this man,’ he added. ‘Too young. I lost my best friend.’
Veglia was the founder of ABTS Convention Services in North Bay Village, a company that organized meetings and exhibitions for medical associations worldwide.
‘Davide was deeply respected across the medical meetings industry for his energy, his commitment to every client relationship, and his conviction that international attendance advances the global impact of medical education,’ the company said in a statement.
‘His passing is a profound loss to his family, to the ABTS team, and to the industry he helped shape,’ it added.
The Daily Mail has reached out to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the Miami Beach Fire Department, the Miami Beach Police Department and Veglia’s family for further comment.
