The Tyler man charged in connection with the death of a teenager on Lake Palestine returned to court on Friday.

Thirty-one-year-old Jeffrey Joe Hampton attended a status hearing during which his case was continued. Smith County court records say he will now go to trial on July 27, 2020.

Hampton is facing charges of manslaughter and boating accident involving death or serious bodily injury stemming from the June 2, 2019 killing of a boy.

Roberto Carlos Bermejo Hernandez, 14, was struck and killed by a boat while playing with friends and family at Lakeway Harbor.

The boat sped away from the scene, forcing law enforcement officers to sweep the area and turn to social media to identify the driver.

The Smith County Sheriff’s Office, Texas Parks and Wildlife, and Bullard police were tipped off about a boat in Flint that matched the description of the one that struck Hernandez.

Deputies responded to County Road 1131 in Flint and found both the boat and Hampton. He was taken into custody on a warrant for manslaughter.

Last June, Kary Hernandez said her son died a hero as he shielded his three-year-old sister from the bass boat.

Meanwhile, Texas Game Warden Captain Quint Balkcom called Hampton’s actions reckless and negligent, accusing him of showing wanton disregard for life and travel.  

He said Hampton was boating so close to the shore that he struck the dock. Balkcom said officials had received statements indicating that Hampton consumed alcohol.

There were reportedly five more people on the boat when the fatal accident took place.

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