On June 25, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) investigators arrested Guy R. Erdman, 61, of Oakland Park, in Monroe County. He is charged with one felony count of boating under the influence (BUI) manslaughter and six misdemeanors related to the death of Sydney A. Cole, 24, of North Carolina.
On Dec. 27, 2024, Erdman was operating a 21-foot center console vessel with three passengers. The vessel was traveling through Buttonwood Sound when Erdman collided with an anchored sailboat, ejecting all four occupants. Good Samaritans recovered Erdman and the two other passengers. After a multi-agency search, Ms. Cole was later found dead in the water.
FWC’s investigation revealed that Erdman was consuming alcohol less than an hour before the collision, and toxicology results confirmed that Erdman’s blood alcohol content was nearly twice the limit at the time of the incident.
“This devastating and avoidable loss of a young life underscores the dangers of boating under the influence,” said Major Alberto Maza, FWC South Bravo Regional Commander. “If you choose to boat impaired, we will hold you accountable.”
Erdman is scheduled to be arraigned July 15.
The FWC makes boating safety enforcement a top priority. The public is encouraged to report dangerous boating activity by calling the Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (888-404-3922).
