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Family of woman killed in Boston Harbor boat crash files wrongful death suit
The father of a Somerville woman killed in a boat crash in Boston Harbor is suing for $15 million in a wrongful death lawsuit.
The father of a Somerville woman killed in a boat crash in Boston Harbor is suing for $15 million in a wrongful death lawsuit that names two boat drivers — including one who is already facing criminal charges relating to her death.
Jeanica Julce, 27, died in the summer of 2021 when a boat, driven by Ryan Denver, collided with a navigation aid at 3 a.m. on a Saturday morning. Seven other passengers were rescued, but first responders were unable to find Julce. Her body was recovered around 10 a.m. that morning.
Denver, of Boston, was indicted later that year by a Suffolk County grand jury on counts including manslaughter and multiple counts of assault and battery. He pleaded not guilty, and his jury trial is scheduled for 2025.
According to the suit filed in Suffolk County Superior Court Monday, Denver was operating the “Make It Go Away” on the night Julce was killed. The suit alleges he was drinking alcohol and driving the boat too fast with negligence when the boat capsized.
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In a statement, Denver’s lawyer, Michael Connolly, said Denver was sober. Connolly said issues of speed and impaired driving were not included in the criminal charges Denver is facing. He said instead that the navigational marker was poorly lit and obscured from sight “by dredging operations.”
“After the impact, Ryan and his passengers entered the Harbor as the boat began taking on water,” Connolly said in a statement. “Ryan did everything in his power to assist them until first responders arrived on the scene and he has cooperated fully with law enforcement since. We strongly dispute many of the assertions in the filing.”
Another boat driver named in civil suit, not criminally charged
The other boat driver named in the civil suit is Lee Rosenthal, a Beverly man and driver of the “Defensive Indifference.” Rosenthal’s boat was the first to arrive on scene before any first responders, the suit says.
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The suit claims that Rosenthal — who was not charged criminally — struck Julce when he was circling the crash before leaving the area to make room for rescue responders. His lawyer Kevin Kenneally said the suit includes “a false accusation.”
“(He) was found to have no responsibility or involvement by police detectives and rescue personnel who investigated the fatal accident,” Kenneally said in a statement. “The at-fault party was charged. The authorities confirmed in the investigation that an individual in the water who was not the victim asked Mr. Rosenthal to look for the young woman, which he did.”
Julce’s body was found at the bottom of the harbor.
Aristide Lex, another passenger on the “Make It Go Away,” also filed suit against Denver Monday. According to his complaint, the crash caused “permanent injuries and disfigurement.” Lex is suing for just over $300,000 to cover medical expenses and lost wages.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated based on information included in an amended complaint.
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