Ferry tragedy skipper admits lying about medical condition
A Staten Island Ferry skipper today admitted lying about his medical history before the crash that killed 11 New York commuters, injured dozens more and exposed systemic problems with the ship’s operations.
Assistant Captain Richard Smith admitted that he had taken Tramadol, a back pain drug, and Tylenol PM – two drugs with side effects that can include drowsiness.
They were among five drugs he was taking for conditions including high blood pressure in the month before the accident last October. Both were in his system at the time of the crash.
Prosecutors and defence lawyers said that, under a plea agreement, he also was expected to plead guilty to 11 counts of manslaughter, acknowledging that his misconduct and inattention to duty caused the deaths.
Smith, 55, appearing haggard and drawn, said he did not acknowledge his health problems because he was afraid of losing his job. He had lied on an August 2000 application for his licence, where word of his high blood pressure and use of prescription drugs could have led to a rejection.
“I didn’t want the Coastguard to know, your honour,” said Smith, who is currently under psychiatric care and taking anti-depression medication.
The ferry, Andrew J Barberi, slammed into a concrete maintenance pier on Staten Island, tearing open a 250-foot-long gash extending eight feet into its hull. The accident killed 11 people, injured dozens and led to billions of dollars in civil claims.
Smith, who was at the helm of the vessel when it crashed, fled after the wreck and tried to commit suicide, slashing his wrists and shooting himself with a pellet gun.
