BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – The man who injured three people during a 2024 Christmas boat parade in Brevard County that went viral online has been sentenced to jail.
Cameron Michaels, 26, was sentenced Wednesday to 60 days in jail with one year of probation, records show.
The crash on Sykes Creek drew the attention of millions after it was recorded and shared to social media, showing Michaels driving a light-covered jet boat and crashing into another vessel.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s report on the incident states Michaels didn’t see the other boat. He was cited for reckless or careless operation of a vessel and got a separate $140 ticket for speeding in a manatee zone, according to the FWC.
The driver of the other boat told News 6 Brevard County Community Correspondent James Sparvero that he suffered nine herniated discs while his brother, who was also on the boat, suffered two herniated discs. The FWC said in a follow-up report that the third patient was still walking on crutches through the first week of January.
At his hearing on Wednesday, Michaels pleaded no contest to charges of reckless operation of a vessel and culpable negligence inflicting injury, according to court records. He was found guilty on both counts but will only serve time pursuant to the culpable negligence charge, records show.
[WATCH: Body camera footage reveals reckless boating in Merritt Island Christmas parade crash]
A neighbor said she thinks the punishment was warranted.
“It sounds pretty fair to me,” Dee Frock said. “He did cause a lot of disruption cause I don’t think anything like that has ever happened before. It’s always been a fun time and a lot of neighbors get together with family.”
Frock said she doesn’t think the incident will tarnish the reputation of the parade when it returns this holiday season.
“It’s just such a big deal for us,” she said. “Look forward to it every year and I think that it will recover.”