TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- A state hearing officer said Wednesday he would recommend that no action be taken against a harbor pilot who was at the helm of a freighter when it rammed the Sunshine Skyway Bridge May 9, killing 35 people.
Chris Bentley, a Department of Administration hearing officer, said his report will clear harbor pilot John Lerro of negligence in the accident and that he was recommending 'that no action be taken against (Lerro's pilot's) license.'
The state Department of Professional Regulation had accused Lerro of 'imprudent acts' leading to the mishap and said the evidence showed him 'negligent and incompetent.'
But Bentley said his order 'concludes that the evidence did not establish negligence and incompetence as alleged.'
Bentley said his report, which was being typed and edited, would not be completed until Monday, when it will go to the Board of Pilot Commissioners.
The board then will make the final decision on whether Lerro keeps his pilot license.
The 608-foot empty phosphate freighter Summit Venture was driven off course during a violent thunderstorm and struck the southbound span of the 150-foot-high bridge over the mouth of Tampa Bay.
A 1,300-foot section of the span plunged into the storm-tossed waters, carrying with it a Greyhound bus and seven other vehicles. Only the driver of one pickup truck survived the plunge.
Lerro has maintained in the months of hearings that he had no control over the vessel and was at the mercy of the wind when he attempted to negotiate an 18-degree turn to the left to pass through the 800-foot-wide channel opening under the twin bridge spans.
