Following an August 8, 2026, boat accident in New York Harbor that killed a 27-year-old woman and her 5-month-old infant, federal authorities arrested 46-year-old Manuel Ernesto Hernandez-Umana. Immigration officials confirmed he is an undocumented immigrant from El Salvador who will face deportation proceedings after his criminal case concludes.
The Fatal Harbor Excursion and Charges Filed
The tragedy unfolded on August 8, 2026, when a 21-foot Yamaha AR210 speedboat capsized near Liberty Island during an evening tour around the Statue of Liberty. According to the Department of Homeland Security, the vessel was carrying 14 people on board—well over its maximum capacity of 10 people—when the pilot attempted a U-turn that sent the boat into a swell and flipped it.
The victims were identified as Sara Sanchez, 27, and her 5-month-old daughter, Antonella Garcia. Both were pulled unresponsive from the water by the Coast Guard and the New York Police Department before being pronounced dead at a local hospital. Andres Garcia, Antonella’s father and Sanchez’s partner, had expressed excitement about taking the excursion with his family, according to co-workers who spoke with NBC News.
The pilot, Manuel Ernesto Hernandez-Umana, was arrested and charged in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York with two counts of misconduct and neglect of a ship officer resulting in death.
Unlicensed Operations and Severe Safety Violations
Federal prosecutors allege that the excursion was an illegal charter operation. According to AP News, Hernandez-Umana was not licensed by the U.S. Coast Guard to operate commercial tours with paying customers, had not registered the boat, and was unaware of the vessel’s basic passenger limits.
Investigators discovered that the boat lacked infant-sized flotation devices. Prosecutors stated that before boarding, the infant’s parents informed Hernandez-Umana that they did not have a proper life vest for the baby. He reportedly told them the vessel did not carry any either, suggesting instead that one parent wear a vest and hold the infant throughout the trip.
“The defendant allegedly flouted those regulations when he transported paying customers on a commercial vessel without appropriate licenses, overcrowded the vessel, and took on a 5-month-old infant passenger, with no infant life vests onboard.”
U.S. Attorney Jamie McDonald, via Department of Homeland Security
Immigration Status and Prior Entry Details
Beyond the maritime charges, federal immigration authorities placed a hold on Hernandez-Umana, who is a citizen of El Salvador. The Department of Homeland Security reported that Hernandez-Umana originally entered the United States through Texas in 2007 after falsely claiming to be a U.S. citizen to a Customs and Border Protection officer.
Following his arrest and an initial court appearance on August 10, Hernandez-Umana was released on $50,000 bail. Once he was released from the criminal case, Immigration and Customs Enforcement detained him at a facility in Elizabeth, New Jersey, according to online records cited by AP News.
Ties to Zeus Luxury Rental and Broader Maritime Scrutiny
Court filings and investigative reports indicate that Hernandez-Umana had worked on a freelance or contract basis since last year for Zeus Luxury Rental Inc., a company that advertises tour services on social media platforms including Instagram and TikTok. While he typically drove limousines or operated a slightly larger personal boat, he borrowed his friend’s 21-foot vessel on August 8 because his own boat required repairs.
The charter company itself has faced previous safety scrutiny. AP News noted that another boat chartered by Zeus Luxury caught fire last year during a birthday cruise on the Long Island Sound.
Pending Legal Proceedings and Deportation Intentions
Federal officials have made clear that immigration enforcement intends to remove Hernandez-Umana from the country, though that action must wait until the federal criminal case concludes.
“Once he faces justice for his crimes, we will make sure that he is swiftly removed from our country.”
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, via Department of Homeland Security
Hernandez-Umana, who was living in Manville, New Jersey, is scheduled to return to federal court on September 9, 2026, as prosecution by the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s General Crimes Unit moves forward.
