A tragic boating accident in Biscayne Bay has claimed the life of 20-year-old Dylan Geller of Voorhees, New Jersey, along with another young sailor, after a sailboat carrying children from a youth sailing program collided with a barge near Monument and Hibiscus Islands on Monday.
The U.S. Coast Guard and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reported that six people — five children and one adult — were thrown into the water following the devastating collision. The sailboat, part of the Miami Youth Sailing Foundation, reportedly went under the barge upon impact. Four children were rushed to Jackson Memorial Hospital, but two were pronounced dead on arrival — including Dylan Geller.
Dylan, a student at Rowan University studying to become a special education teacher, was known for his deep compassion, perseverance, and dedication to helping others, especially children with special needs. His younger brother, Chase Geller, shared an emotional tribute on a newly launched nonprofit page titled “DO IT LIKE DYLAN”, which aims to carry forward Dylan’s legacy by creating scholarships and opportunities for disabled and underprivileged individuals.
“Despite Dylan’s setbacks with epilepsy, he never let it prevent him from living the life he wanted,” Chase wrote. “He dedicated a huge part of his life to helping children with special needs and disabilities… It would mean the world to our family if you could support this cause.”
Dylan’s mother, Dawn Renee Jaffee Geller, expressed the family’s heartbreak in a moving message:
“Life will never be the same. Thank you for teaching us about genuine kindness. We are mad that we only got 20 years to love your physical presence. Fly high Dylan Geller. Love, Mommy.”
Longtime family friend Debbie Hopp Adams added:
“We’ve known Dylan since he and our daughter were just 2. He grew into an amazing young man, and we are feeling an emptiness in our hearts. Dylan’s life was cut way too short.”
Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the accident, and the Miami Yacht Club issued a statement confirming the children involved were part of a youth sailing program:
“Our priority is the safety and well-being of everyone involved. We are working closely with the appropriate authorities and organizations to understand the situation fully.”
Dylan Geller is being remembered not only for his talent and ambition but for the selfless love he shared with those around him. A young man who turned his own challenges into a mission to lift others, Dylan’s light now lives on through the cause his family has vowed to carry forward.