Video: Boat crashes into Miami Beach seawall, injuring two

A video has been released showing a small boat barrelling into a seawall at Coast Guard Base Miami Beach. Two people were injured in the crash, including a man known as “the godfather of Miami nightlife.”

The U.S. Coast Guard reports that its own crews, along with Miami Beach Fire Rescue crews, responded to the Friday morning crash.

The man and woman were transported to a Miami trauma center.

According to reports, they were identified as South Beach nightclub investor Michael Capponi and a friend, Brooke Biederman. Capponi, 42, is known in the area as “the godfather of Miami nightlife” after he invested in and promoted several clubs.

As of Friday afternoon, Capponi was in stable condition and Biederman was in critical condition.

Coast Guard officials believe the crash was an accident. According to reports, no alcohol or drugs were involved.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is investigating.

http://tbo.com/news/florida/two-inju...150320/?page=1

Wow, they were really moving along when they hit. I wonder what the heck the issue was?

Noted Nightclub Promoter Capponi Recovering After Boat Crash

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Noted nightclub promoter, developer and humanitarian Michael Capponi is still recovering in the hospital after a boat crash.

The boat, with Capponi and a friend on board, slammed head-on into a seawall about 10 a.m. Friday.

CLICK HERE To Watch Maggie Newland’s Report

Surveillance video shows a 25-foot boat speeding straight toward the seawall at the Coast Guard station on Miami Beach. Without slowing down, just off camera, the boat crashes. In moments, members of the Coast Guard run toward the badly damaged boat.

Friends identified the two people on board that boat as Capponi and Brooke Biederman.

Capponi made a name for himself promoting nightclubs in the 90s and is stays involved the South Beach nightlife scene.

David Grutman, operating partner of clubs LIV and Story said, “Michael’s worked with us when we opened up LIV and now Story as well. He’s worked with us since our grand opening.”

Capponi is also a noted developer and humanitarian, with a particular passion for Haiti.

“Anytime there’s a crisis, Michael’s the first one to mobilize the Red Cross for Haiti or any of the charitable organizations that the nightlife community could help,” said Grutman.

Grutman said he was shocked to hear about the crash.

He said Capponi is an experienced boater.

“He’s probably one of the best boat drivers I’ve ever seen,” he said.

Investigators say it’s still not clear what caused the boat to crash.

Capponi and Biederman were rushed to the hospital, and Biederman is in critical condition.

The following day on facebook, Capponi posted an apparent picture from his hospital room, thanked friends for their well wishes and asked for continued blessings and prayers.

http://miami.cbslocal.com/2015/03/23...er-boat-crash/

No drugs, alcohol found in Miami nightlife king boat crash

More details have emerged about the devastating, high-speed boat crash in Florida involving Miami nightlife king Michael Capponi and his friend Brooke Biederman.

Capponi, who helped found South Beach clubs including BED, LIV and Story, lost control of his 25-foot Chris-Craft boat and hit a seawall near a US Coast Guard station Friday.

The USCG confirmed to Page Six that Capponi hit the wall head-on at between 25 and 30 knots. They said Capponi had been headed westbound down a channel, but suddenly made a 90-degree turn toward the wall. After impact, the vessel continued in circles in front of the pier until a Coast Guard team jumped onboard to stop it. They found no drugs or alcohol.

Capponi, 42, suffered broken bones and head trauma. Biederman, 23, sustained a skull fracture and brain injuries. Both remain in the hospital. Biederman is the Princeton-educated daughter of respected Bryant Park Corp. president Dan Biederman.

Capponi Instagrammed, “Please continue to send all your blessings and prayers in this very difficult passage.”

http://pagesix.com/2015/03/23/miami-...ed-boat-crash/