Relatives of a young Cuban woman who died in a tragic boating accident in the Florida Keys: "She was special."

The family of Stephanie Marie Rodríguez, a 28-year-old of Cuban descent who tragically died in a maritime accident last Thursday in the Florida Keys, is struggling to find solace after her loss: "She was special."

The tragic incident, which also left five other people injured, occurred around 4:00 p.m. on November 7, in the North Key West Harbor area, Monroe County, when the boat carrying Rodríguez was participating in a speedboat race from Miami to Key West, according to Telemundo 51.

The 39-foot Deep Impact yacht, with eight people on board, was traveling at high speed when it struck a sandbank, veered sharply to the right, and ejected six of its occupants into the water, reported Arielle Callender, spokesperson for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).

The injured were immediately assisted by passengers from other boats and taken to Conch Harbor Marina on Caroline Street until emergency services arrived to transport them to local hospitals for medical treatment. Unfortunately, Rodríguez did not survive his injuries.

Devastated by the tragedy, the family of the young woman, a resident of Hialeah, agreed to be interviewed by Telemundo51.

"We are going to miss her a lot. She was very affectionate, knowledgeable, and a person who connected with everyone. She always had a smile and was always cheerful," said one of Rodríguez's three older brothers. "We hope my family can feel better soon from this pain; my mom is really hurting."

Another brother of the young woman, Ricky Rodríguez, told NBC, “She lit up any room she entered. My sister was special, she was special.”

Even amid their distress, Rodríguez's family wished for a speedy recovery for the five injured individuals who remained hospitalized after the accident.

A campaign was launched on the GoFundMe platform to raise money to cover funeral expenses, helping the family ease their burden during such difficult times.

Mia Pérez, the organizer of the fundraising event, wrote: "With deep sorrow, we share the devastating news of the passing of Stephanie Marie Rodríguez, who tragically lost her life in a boating accident yesterday. Stephanie was a kind, loving, and cheerful person, whose warmth touched everyone who knew her. To know her was to love her. Her sudden departure has left her family and friends heartbroken and struggling to comprehend this immense loss."

The authorities identified the operator of the crashed boat as Reinaldo Aquit, a 47-year-old from Miami Beach, who also sustained injuries.

Following the fatal accident, the FWC launched a thorough investigation to determine the causes that led to the incident. The agency has not disclosed whether Aquit will face any charges.

Meanwhile, the family awaits answers and remembers their loved one. "I just hope that the law does what it needs to do and that the investigations take place so we can obtain that information and clarity about what happened. But that is not in our hands; it is in the hands of God and the authorities," stated Ricky Rodríguez.