Two students die in boat accident, one injured

By: Monique Mattiace / Contributing Writer
Two FIU students died last weekend in a boat accident on their way back from the Columbus Day Regatta in Biscayne Bay.

James “Jimmy” Noel-Pou and Monica Burguera, along with six others, were on a broken-down rental boat that was being towed back to land. A 35-foot powerboat hit the group’s rental boat from behind causing a fatal accident, according to The Miami Herald.

Noel-Pou, whose body was found Oct. 9 floating in Biscayne Bay, was a few days away from celebrating his 24 birthday. He graduated in 2005, but was continuing at FIU as a graduate student in construction management, according to the FIU School of Engineering.

He twice served as president and vice president of the Tau Kappa Epsilon social fraternity, members said.

“He was caring, loving and always smiling,” said Shoham Segal, a TKE member. The fraternity has chosen to celebrate Noel-Pou’s birthday Oct. 14 and remember him the way he was.

TKE members said they have lost a family member, someone that was always willing to give the shirt off his back.

Monica Burguera, of San Juan, Puerto Rico, was a 20-year-old business major. She was killed in the collision, according to The Miami Herald article.

“She was ambitious and had a full life ahead of her … I will never forget her and she will always be in my heart,” said her friend Daniela Betancourt, a junior majoring in art.

Betancourt’s best memories with Burguera date back to a trip they took together a couple of years ago to Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights.

“We had a lot of fun that night,” she said.

She described her longtime friend as someone who always wore a bright smile.

“As much as it hurts, I know she is in a better place watching over us as,” she said.

Burguera’s wake took place Oct. 9 and she was buried Oct. 10 in Miami.

Burguera was with long-time boyfriend Andres Perez, 20, at the time of the accident, according to The Miami Herald. He survived and was taken to JMH where he is recovering from a shattered pelvis.

FIU President Modesto A. Maidique released a statement Oct. 9 about the tragic accident.

“All of us in the FIU family are deeply saddened by this weekend’s tragedy which has touched us deeply. We extend our sympathy to the families of Ms. Burguera and Mr. Noel-Pou. For us, the loss of a student, or a classmate, is the loss of a friend and we mourn this loss. At the same time, we are praying for the quick and full recovery of Mr. Perez,” he wrote.

He also wrote that counselors would be available at the University Counseling Center to help students through the loss.

Despite several attempts, Lieutenant Alfredo Escanio from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the government agency overseeing the accident’s investigation, was unavailable for comment.

As of press time, there was no set time for Noel-Pou’s funeral arrangements.

However, the TKE-hosted rememberance ceremony for Noel-Pou will be held at 5 p.m., Oct. 14 in the Graham Center.