DJ Laz

DJ Laz, South Florida radio personality, was operating the 42 foot boat involved in the fatal propeller strike of Ernesto Hernandez in May 2014. Ernesto and others nearby came to help push the large boat off a Nixon Beach sandbar near Key Biscayne during a Voli Vodka promotional event.

On Wednesday November 4, 2015, DJ Laz, real name Lazero Mendez, pled “no contest” through his attorney to careless driving resulting in a death of Ernesto Hernandez.

DJ Laz did not appear in court Wednesday. As per the plea agreement, he will pay $500 as a civil penalty, donate $1,000 to a Mashta Flats beach restoration fund (the area the accident occurred), provide 120 hours of community service, and take a boating safety course.

The judge noted, “There was no navigational rule that was violated.”

DJ Laz’s boat being pushed from sandbar just prior to the accident

Per WSVN’s report on the plea, “The Hernandez family hopes that legislation will pass to create stronger boating rules and regulations, so their loved one’s death was not in vain.”

DJ Laz earlier settled the case brought against him by the family, however that case is still alive against Voli Vodka.

We previously covered this accident in several posts: