Captain of boat involved in deadly 2022 Florida parasailing crash involving Schaumburg mother facing federal charge

The video in the player above is from a 2023 report on a lawsuit filed in connection with the victim’s death.

MARATHON, Fla. — The captain of a boat involved in a parasailing crash in Florida that killed a Schaumburg mother

on Memorial Day in 2022 is now facing a federal charge.

52-year-old Daniel Gavin Couch, who was allegedly at the helm of the boat involved in the crash, has been charged with one count of seaman’s manslaughter, according to an indictment returned by a federal grand jury this week.

The crash, which unfolded around 5 p.m. on Monday, May 30, 2022, near Marathon, Florida, claimed the life of 33-year-old Supraja Alaparthi and left her 10-year-old son and 9-year-old nephew injured.

The incident unfolded while the victims, who were together visiting the Florida Keys, were parasailing while attached to the boat being operated by Couch.

Prosecutors say that as the boat navigated on the water, bad weather rolled in, including strong winds.

As the vessel approached the Old Seven Mile Bridge near Marathon, Florida, the parasail crashed into the bridge.

Supraja Alaparthi was pronounced dead at the scene.

An investigation into the crash by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission indicated that the boat captain cut the line holding Alaparthi and the two boys because the parasail was “dragging” in high winds from the sudden summer storm.

According to the latest indictment, prosecutors say Couch engaged in misconduct, negligence, or inattention to his duties as captain, which resulted in the death of a passenger when he allegedly cut the cable.

Shortly after the incident, family members of the victims filed a wrongful death and two personal injury lawsuits. A second lawsuit against the captain, a crew member and a Florida resort company that owned the marina where the boat was based was filed about year later.

If convicted, Couch could face up to 10 years in federal prison.